USER MANUAL

F SERIES
4/8/16 CHANNEL

www.NightOwlSP.com
Thank you for choosing Night Owl Security Products!
All of our products are backed by a conditional warranty which covers all hardware
for 1 year from the date of purchase. Make the most of your warranty by completing
the registration form online. In addition to warranty and technical support benefits,
you will have access to our multitude of free instructional How-To-Videos. You can
also view our instructional videos by clicking the “How to Videos” tabs within your
product’s page on our website.

Register at www.NightOwlSP.com!

Please see the warranty section of this manual for exclusions and additional details.
Not all features and capabilities are shared across all models so you may see
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
features which are not applicable. In addition you may see screen images that do
not exactly match those on your display. This manual was accurate at the time
it was completed. Due to our ongoing effort to constantly improve our products,
functions may have been added or changed.

Scan or click the QR codes below to access our instructional videos that
can assist you in configuring your Night Owl Security system.
DVR STARTUP MOBILE APP
CONNECTIVITY WIZARD SETUP

http://nightowlsp.com/dvr-qsg http://nightowlsp.com/startup-wizard-qsg http://nightowlsp.com/mobile-app-qsg

2 F DVR Series Users Manual Table of Contents 3

Table of Contents
7.1.1 Display. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

a. Output. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
b. Privacy Zone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
7.1.2 Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

CHAPTER 1: FCC WARNINGS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 a. Main . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
b. Substream . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
CHAPTER 2: SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 c. Email. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
d. Email Schedule. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
CHAPTER 3: SPECIFICATIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 e. DDNS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
3.1 System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 7.1.3 Alarm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

3.2 Package Contents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 a. Motion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
3.2.1 DVR Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
7.2 Cameras Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
3.2.2 Camera Diagram. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
7.2.1 Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

3.2.3 Mouse and Remote Diagrams. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
7.3 Record Menu (Playback) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
7.3.1 General (Playback) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

CHAPTER 4: CAMERA INSTALLATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 7.3.2 Events (Playback & Backup Files). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

4.1 Video/Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 7.3.3 Settings (Record) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

4.2 Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 a. Basic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
4.3 Mounting the Cameras . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 b. Record Schedule. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
c. Mainstream. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
CHAPTER 5: DVR INSTALLATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 7.4 Device Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
5.1 Connecting to a TV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 7.4.1 HDD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

5.2 Power. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 7.4.2 PTZ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

7.5 System Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
CHAPTER 6: GETTING STARTED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 7.5.1 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

6.1 Startup Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 a. Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
6.2 Night Owl HD Mobile App . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 b. DST. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
6.3 Displays and Icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 c. NTP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
6.3.1 Login Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
7.5.2 Users. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

6.3.2 Live View (All Channels). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
7.5.3 Info. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

6.3.3 Live View (Single Channel). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
7.5.4 Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

6.3.4 Menu Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
7.6 Advanced Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
7.6.1 Maintain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

CHAPTER 7: MENUS AND SETTINGS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 7.6.2 Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

7.1 General Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 7.6.3 Auto Upgrade. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

4 F DVR Series Users Manual Table of Contents 5

CHAPTER 8: REMOTE ACCESS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
8.1 System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
8.2 Setup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
8.3 Network Configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
8.3.1 Windows® Operating System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

8.3.2 Mac® Operating System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

8.3.3 Port Forwarding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

8.3.4 DDNS Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

8.3.5 Adding the DDNS to Your DVR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

CHAPTER 9: GLOSSARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

CHAPTER 10: WARRANTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 11: TROUBLESHOOTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
FCC WARNINGS
CHAPTER 12: CUSTOMER SUPPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

CHAPTER 13: USER INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

For your reference, we have created an instructional video that

explains the menu structure and functionality of your Night Owl
recorder in detail. Click on the icon at any time to view Night
SUPPORT Owl’s instructional videos at www.youtube.com/user/NightOwlSP
VIDEOS

Night Owl’s DVRs are manufactured for quality and ease of use.
As such, our DVRs contain menus designed for advanced user’s
that should not be adjusted without having enhanced knowledge
ADVANCED regarding the menu. In most cases the default settings allow
for optimal functionality. The menus that should maintain the
default settings are indicated with this icon.

6 F DVR Series Users Manual Chapter 1: FCC Warnings 7

SUPPORT VIDEOS
Chapter 1: FCC Warnings
FCC
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with limits for Class B
digital devices pursuant to Part 15 of Federal Communication Commission (FCC)
rules.

FCC Compliance Statement

These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against frequency
interference in residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can
radiate radio frequency energy, and if not installed or used accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communication. However,
there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in television reception, which
can be determined by turning the equipment off and on. The user is encouraged
to try and correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
CHAPTER 2
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
SAFETY
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which
the receiver is connected. INSTRUCTIONS

CAUTION
The Federal Communications Commission warns the user that changes or
modifications to the unit not expressly approved by the part responsible for
compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

8 F DVR Series Users Manual Chapter 2: Safety Instructions 9

SUPPORT VIDEOS
Chapter 2: Safety Instructions
Use the provided power adapter. Make sure there is good air circulation
Do not use this product with a power around the DVR.
source that applies more than the This DVR uses an internal hard drive,
specified voltage. which generates heat during operation
for video storage. Do not block vents
Never insert metal into the DVR case on the DVR, as these vents reduce
or its openings. Inserting metal into the generated heat while the system
the DVR case may cause electric is running. Place this product in well-
shock. ventilated area.

Do not operate in wet or dusty areas.

Avoid placing the DVR in areas such
as a damp basement or dusty attic.
Do not attempt to remove the top
cover. If you observe any abnormal
operation, unplug the DVR
CHAPTER 3
Do not expose the DVR to rain or use
near water. If the DVR accidentally
immediately and contact technical
support. Do not attempt to open the
DVR to diagnose the cause of the
SPECIFICATIONS
gets wet, unplug it and contact problem.
technical support immediately.
Handle the DVR carefully.
Keep product surfaces clean and dry. If you drop the DVR on any hard
To clean the outside case of the DVR, surface, it may damage the device.
use a lightly dampened cloth. Do not If the DVR doesn’t work properly
use cleaning solutions or solvents. due to physical damage, contact an
authorized dealer for repair.
Do not install near any heat sources.
Do not install the DVR near any heat It is recommended to use your DVR
sources such as stoves, heat registers, with an uninterruptable power supply
radiators, or electronics (including (UPS). Connecting your DVR and
amplifiers) that produce heat. cameras to a UPS allows continuous
operation even during power outages.
Unplug the DVR when moving it. The run-time duration will depend on
Make sure that the DVR is unplugged the rating of the UPS used.
before you move it. When moving this
device, be sure to handle it with care.

You may be subjected to severe electrical shock

if you remove the cover of the DVR.

10 F DVR Series Users Manual Chapter 3: Specifications 11

SUPPORT VIDEOS
Chapter 3: Specifications
3.1 System Requirements
Please be sure that your PC/MAC complies with the following specifications:
• PC Operating System: Windows Vista; Windows XP; Windows 7; Windows 8
• PC Browser: IE 8 or above; Google Chrome
• MAC Operating System: MAC OS X 10.7 and above
• MAC Browser: Safari 5.1 and above

Please be sure that your mobile device complies with the following specifications:
• Android: 3.0 and above
• iOS: 5.1 and above

3.2 Package Contents

• 1 x DVR • 1 x Remote Control (Includes Batteries)
• Indoor/Outdoor Cameras* • 1 x Software CD
• Bundles of Camera Cable* • 1 x Quick Setup Guide
• Mounting Hardware and Screws* • 1 x Camera Power Adapter*
• HDMI Cable • 1 x DC 12V/2A DVR Power Adapter
• 1 x RJ-45 Cable (Ethernet) • Camera Power Splitters* REAR VIEW
• 1 x USB Mouse • 3 x Night Owl Security Stickers Images used are for reference only. Your product may slightly vary.

* Cameras, additional cables, power adapters and 1. Audio Inputs – audio inputs allow for the connection of audio enabled cameras
by connecting the white RCA plug to one of the audio inputs. After making
splitters only included in certain security kits. Check
the audio input connection, be sure to enable the audio function in the DVR’s
the product packaging for detailed kit contents. menu interface.

2. Audio Output – audio output allows for the connection of an amplified speaker.

3.2.1 DVR Diagrams 3. Video Inputs – video inputs allow for the connection BNC cameras.
Once you have downloaded Night Owl HD and connected
your DVR to your router, you can network your DVR by scanning the
QR code which is located on the top of the DVR.
4. HDMI Output – HDMI output allows for the video connection. If the TV /
QR Code
Monitor has an HDMI input, connect the HDMI cable from the HDMI output
port on the DVR to the HDMI input port on your TV / Monitor.

5. VGA Output – VGA output allows for the video connection. If the TV / Monitor
has a VGA input, connect the VGA cable from the VGA output port on the DVR
Model #
to the VGA input port on your TV / Monitor.

FRONT VIEW

12 F DVR Series Users Manual Chapter 3: Specifications 13

 6. RJ-45 (Ethernet) Port – RJ-45 port will be used to connect the DVR to your 3.2.3 Mouse and Remote Diagram
router/modem via the included Ethernet cable. Keep in mind, you can quickly
network your DVR to begin viewing your cameras remotely right from your
mobile device by completing the DVR’s Startup Wizard once you have
connected the DVR to your router and powered on the DVR.
7. USB Ports – USB ports allow for the connections of a USB mouse and /
or a USB flash drive. You will connect the included USB mouse to assist you
in navigating the DVRs menu interface. You will connect a USB flash drive to
download video files from the DVR and save them to your USB flash drive.
8. Alarm/RS-485 (PTZ) Port – Alarm/RS-485 port allows for PTZ camera
connection and integration with your monitored security company. Your
security company must configure the DVR, not Night Owl. (Alarm block on
16CH DVRs only)
9. Power Input – power input to connect the included 12V DC power supply.
10. Video Output – Allows you to connect the DVR to your TV / Monitor if your
TV / Monitor does not have a VGA or HDMI input.
11. IR-EXT – allows you to connect an IR extender which extends the IR signal
around corners, behind entertainment centers, or any situation where the
line-of-sight between your DVR and your remote control isn’t possible. To use MOUSE
it, connect the IR Extender to the IR-EXT input on the back of the DVR.
Put the other end of the IR Extender somewhere that allows a direct line of Live Viewing:
sight between it and the remote. Double-click the left button on any camera view in split-screen mode to bring it to
12. On/Off – allows you to turn your DVR On or Off. full screen display.
Double-click again to return to split-screen mode.
Right-click to show the control bar at the bottom of the screen.
3.2.2 Camera Diagram Right-clicking again will hide the control bar.

In Setup:
Left-click to make a selection.
Right-click to cancel setup or return to previous screen.

To Enter Values:
Move the cursor to a blank field and click the mouse. A virtual keyboard will
appear which supports numbers, letters and symbols. The Shift function will
access symbols in addition to upper case letters.
CAMERA
Images used are for reference only. Your product may slightly vary.

NOTE: Connect all cameras locally before final placement to ensure that all
components function properly.

14 F DVR Series Users Manual Chapter 3: Specifications 15

 CHAPTER 4
CAMERA
INSTALLATION
REMOTE

16 F DVR Series Users Manual Chapter 4: Camera Installation 17

SUPPORT VIDEOS
Chapter 4: Camera Installation 4.2 Power*
1. Locate an included power splitter.
4.1 Video/Audio* 2. Connect the power splitter to the remaining DC power connectors (red) of the
cables.
NOTE: Connect all cameras locally before final placement to ensure that all
components function properly.

1. Locate an included 60 foot camera cable.

2. Connect a camera to one end of the cable by matching the BNC connectors
(yellow) and DC power connectors (red).
3. Audio enabled cameras will have an additional (white) RCA connection which
will transmit the audio signal and will connect to the audio in port on the back
of your DVR.
3. Plug the power splitter into the labeled camera power supply, then plug the
camera power supply into an available wall outlet or UPS. Keep in mind, Night
Owl always recommends utilizing a surge protector to minimize the risk of
damage caused to your DVR in the event of a power surge.

4. Plug BNC connectors on the other end of the cable into a Video Input port on
the back panel of the DVR.
5. Repeat for each camera, noting the channel number each camera is plugged
into.

* Cameras, additional cables, power adapters and

splitters only included in certain security kits. Check
the product packaging for detailed kit contents.

Make sure all cameras are working prior to mounting by

connecting them as described in the section above. Once all
cameras are confirmed to be fully operational, you can run
the cables and mount the cameras at their final locations.

18 F DVR Series Users Manual Chapter 4: Camera Installation 19

4.3 Mounting the Cameras 3. Using a drill bit slightly smaller than the included screw anchors, drill into the
mounting surface using the guide marks you placed in the previous step.
Camera distance from viewing/recording device. 4. Insert the screw anchors.
The further the camera is from the DVR 5. Line up the camera base holes with the screw anchors. Holding the base in
or monitor, the higher the chances place, insert screws and tighten until secure.
of signal degradation. The camera’s
power supply should be located
as near to the camera as possible
Connect all cameras locally before final placement to
when the distance exceeds 200’
ensure that all components function properly.
as the power level will drop over
extended distances resulting in video degradation.

Do not place near high voltage wires or other sources of electrical interference.
Electrical interference will degrade the quality of the signal.

Place camera out of reach to avoid vandalism.

6. Once the base is screwed in place, make sure that the camera is securely
Avoid direct exposure to weather. Do not place the camera where rain or snow will mounted by placing gentle pressure on the mount.
hit the lens directly nor should the camera be placed so that the sun or bright 7. Adjust the camera housing to point in the direction of the area you would like
light shines directly into the lens. Your camera is weatherproof, but it will not work to monitor.
when submerged in water. Ensure that all power and video connections are not
directly exposed to water and are protected from the elements.
Don’t feel like installing the
Mounting surface. The mounting surface must hold at least four times the system yourself? Let InstallerNet™
camera’s total weight. do the work for you! Contact us at
1-800-806-5513 or visit us at
1. Locate a camera and choose a location where you would like to mount the
www.NightOwlSP.com.
camera.
2. Indicate screw positions by marking three holes on the surface where you plan
to mount the camera, using the holes in the camera base as a guide.

20 F DVR Series Users Manual Chapter 4: Camera Installation 21

 CHAPTER 5
DVR INSTALLATION

22 F DVR Series Users Manual Chapter 5: DVR Installation 23

SUPPORT VIDEOS
Chapter 5: DVR Installation
4. Select the appropriate video input channel on your TV or monitor to view the
DVR.

5.1 Connecting to a TV (via HDMI) If your TV does not have an HDMI port, you
will need to purchase a VGA or a BNC-to-RCA
1. Locate the included HDMI cable. video cable.

For a VGA connection, attach one end of the VGA cable to the
DVR VGA port and the other end to your TV VGA port.

For a BNC-to-RCA connection, attach the yellow RCA video

connector of the cable to a yellow Video Input port on your
TV. The opposite BNC video connector on the cable should
then connect to the Video Out (V-OUT) port on the back of
the DVR.
2. Plug one end of the cable into the HDMI port on the back of the DVR.

5.2 Power
1. Locate the labeled DVR power adapter; the camera power adapter and DVR
power adapter should never be interchanged.

3. Connect the other end of the cable to an available HDMI input on your TV or
monitor.

24 F DVR Series Users Manual Chapter 5: DVR Installation 25

2. Plug the included power adapter cable into the back of the DVR.

3. Plug the other end of the power adapter cable into an available wall outlet. If
you are using an uninterruptable power supply (UPS), plug the adapter cable
into one of its output sockets. Keep in mind, Night Owl always recommends
utilizing a surge protector to minimize the risk of damage caused to your DVR
CHAPTER 6
in the event of a power surge.
GETTING STARTED

Night Owl’s BB-86AH is our revolutionary battery backup designed for security
DVR’s. We recommend all customers to utilize the battery backup with your DVR.
http://nightowlsp.com/bb-86ah.html

26 F DVR Series Users Manual Chapter 6: Getting Started 27

SUPPORT VIDEOS
Chapter 6: Getting Started 6.2 Night Owl HD Mobile App
The Night Owl HD mobile app lets you access your DVR remotely
6.1 Startup Wizard with live viewing from your tablet or smartphone. Download our
free Night Owl HD application from the iTunes App or Google Play store! Scan or
When your DVR is powered on it will display the Night Owl logo
click the QR code to view our Night Owl HD video which shows how to add and
while initializing. Scan or click the QR code to view our Startup
configure your smart device for remote viewing.
Wizard video which shows the quick and easy steps in detail.

Once you have downloaded Night Owl HD and connected your DVR to your router, you can
network your DVR by scanning the QR code which is located on the top of the DVR.

6.3 Displays and Icons

After initialization, you will be prompted to use the Startup Wizard. Follow the on- The following sections will describe the 3 main screens you will access for login,
screen instructions to: playback, recording, and configuration.

• Create a system user name and password.

• Connect your DVR to a router that is hard wired. Wireless router will not work. 6.3.1 Login Screen
• Follow the Startup Wizard instructions to add your DVR to your mobile device.

Any time you want to configure or adjust your system settings you will be required
to log in by entering your username and password. It’s important you save your
You can toggle the Startup Wizard from appearing login info or you won’t be able to access your DVR. Be sure to store your user
at each power cycle by checking off the tick box at name and password in a safe location. You will need this information to access
the welcome screen. the main menu.

28 F DVR Series Users Manual Chapter 6: Getting Started 29

Device ID: the value in the field should match the value in the parentheses on the 7. Recording: indicates when a camera is currently recording.
right. These numbers verify which device you are currently viewing.
8. Multi-view: various layout options for viewing multiple channels at once.

User: enter the User name you created in the Startup Wizard or User Menu. 9. Auto Sequence: start/stop the slideshow sequence of each channel.

Password: enter the Password you created in the Startup Wizard or User Menu. 10. Volume: mute or adjust the system volume.
If the password is incorrect you will be prompted to try again. Keep in mind the 11. PTZ: open up the Pan, Tilt, Zoom (PTZ) menu. This function will only work
password is case sensitive and must be 8 characters long. when a PTZ camera is connected to your DVR.

12. Cruise: starts/stops the cruise function of your PTZ camera.

6.3.2 Live View (All Channels) 13. Picture-in-Picture 1: view channel 1 with an inset window showing
another channel.
Live View is the default screen you will see when viewing all channels on your
DVR. Right-click anywhere on-screen to bring up the icon menu to change viewing 14. Playback: access the recording/playback menu and functions.
options or access the main menu. Rearrange the channel order by left clicking
and dragging individual channels to other locations in the on-screen layout.
1

2
6.3.3 Live View (Single Channel)
When in Live View, select a single channel to bring up additional controls and
playback options. By double-clicking on the channel you can also view that
channel in full screen mode.

1 2 3 4

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

1. Record: click to begin live recording of the selected channel.

1. Date and Time: current date and time of the system.
2. Instant Playback: replay video footage stored on the HDD.
2. Channel Name and Number: channel name and number.
3. Zoom: click and drag an area to zoom in and enhance. Right-click to return to
3. Menu: access the main menu to configure or adjust settings.
the normal view.
Be sure to store your user name and password in a safe location.
You will need this information to access the main menu. 4. Color Setting: adjust the channel hue, contrast, brightness, and saturation.

4. Lock Screen: manually locks or unlocks screen. Once the screen is locked,
you will need to enter your username and password to gain access.

5. Quad View: 4 channel viewing layout.

6. 9-Channel View: 9 channel viewing layout.

30 F DVR Series Users Manual Chapter 6: Getting Started 31

6.3.4 Menu Screen
Access the main menu by right-clicking anywhere while in Live View and then
selecting the menu icon.

At the menus you will be able to access settings and parameters for all aspects of
your DVR system.

1 2 3 4 5 6

CHAPTER 7
MENUS
AND SETTINGS
1. General Menu: configure display, network, and alarm settings.

2. Cameras Menu: access channel display and color settings.

3. Record Menu: setup or modify general recording, triggered events, and

recording settings.

4. Device Menu: monitor available HDD space and access PTZ settings.

5. System Menu: access general settings such as timestamp displays, user

access, system info, and access logs.

6. Advanced Menu: view and change maintenance settings, upgrades, and

HDD alerts.

32 F DVR Series Users Manual Chapter 7: Menus and Settings 33

SUPPORT VIDEOS
Chapter 7: Menus and Settings 7.1 General Menu
The general menu will allow you to access display, network,
and alarm settings for your DVR system.

ADVANCED

7.1.1 Display
a. Output: adjust the display resolution on your TV or monitor.

Some menu screens will allow you to copy similar settings to multiple channels.
Choose the channel you would like to copy information from in the first dropdown
box (Copy), then select the channel you would like to copy the information to from
the second dropdown box (To). Click Copy when the proper channels have been
Video Output: defaulted to LIVE-OUT.
chosen.
View Setup: choose between Dynamic and Static options.

The Dynamic option will allow you to adjust the number of visible
channels in Live View. DVR is defaulted to Dynamic.

The Static option will lock the View Mode to Single, Quad, or
Nine channel display.

Sequence View: set the channel order when viewing in sequential mode.

Sequence Time: adjust the duration each channel is displayed during a sequential
view. You can select between 1 and 300 seconds per channel. To begin the auto
sequence feature, click on the Auto Sequence icon which is located on the quick
Be sure to Save all changes you make in the menus. access bar.
If you do not save the changes, they will not be
VGA/HDMI Resolution: optimize the display resolution to best fit your TV/monitor.
applied. You can also select the Default button
By default, the optimal resolution option will be selected automatically by the DVR.
on any page to restore default settings for those parameters.
Transparency: modify the menu transparency when displayed on screen.

34 F DVR Series Users Manual Chapter 7: Menus and Settings 35

b. Privacy Zone: create or modify up to 4 privacy zones per channel. These zones 7.1.2 Network
will not be visible to the cameras in Live View or during any recording.
a. Main: find network values and optimize connectivity based on
ADVANCED your Internet connection. In most cases the values should populate
automatically once your DVR is connected to the Internet. The values in this
section should only be adjusted if you are an advanced user and have extensive
experience in device networking.

Channel: choose which channel to apply a privacy zone to.

Privacy Zone: Enable or Disable privacy zones on the selected channel.

Area Setup: select the number of masks you would like to create or modify.
PPPOE: for broadband dial-up network users only. You will need to contact your
Mask Area: a single Live View of the selected channel will be displayed with the ISP to retrieve the User Name and Password needed to complete this type of
number of Areas selected in the previous line. Select, drag, and resize each area connection.
by left clicking the mouse to mask areas on camera that you do not want visible
DHCP: the most common network connection type. These values will be gathered
while recording or monitoring. Once the area(s) are selected, right-click to return
automatically from your ISP when connected.
to the menu.
Static: modify these values if you are using a static IP address. Information can
be obtained from your router and ISP.
Media Port: allows access to your DVR from a mobile device. The default value of
9000 should generally be used for most cases.
Web Port: allows access to your DVR with your computer through your LAN or the
Internet. In most cases the default value of 2049 or 2051 will provide the most
optimal connectivity.
IP Address: network address of the connected DVR.
Subnet Mask: the range of IP addresses that can be found in the network. This
should always be set to the default address 255.255.255.000.
Gateway: the connection between two networks. This should always be the IP
address of the connected router.
DNS1: primary Domain Name System server address.
DNS2: secondary Domain Name System server address.
UPNP: Enable or Disable Universal Plug and Play abilities depending on your
network device capabilities.

36 F DVR Series Users Manual Chapter 7: Menus and Settings 37

b. Substream: configure or optimize the video quality of your Live View. Sender: the email address that will send email alerts.

Sender Password: the password for the email address provided in Sender.

Receiver: the email address that will receive the email alerts.

Interval: set the duration between sending emails for multiple alerts.

d. Email Schedule: choose when alert emails can be sent. Select Motion or
Exception above the calendar and click the corresponding green or red boxes;
you can highlight multiple boxes by left clicking and dragging. Highlighted boxes
represent days and times in which emails will be sent. Motion refers to alerts sent
when cameras are triggered by motion and Exception refers to events such as
Video: Enable or Disable video for the selected channel. If you select Disable, No
video loss or memory conflicts.
video will be displayed from this channel during Live View.

FPS: increase or decrease the frames per second of the streaming video depending on
your connection speed. A higher FPS will result in more data transfer but smoother
video. A lower FPS will eliminate most lag but at the expense of video quality.

Bitrate: adjust the amount of data transferred while streaming. The default setting is
sufficient for most networks.

Audio: click the tick box to record sound if your camera is audio enabled. Not all
cameras are audio enabled; audio enabled cameras will have a white RCA connector
to transmit the audio signal.
e. DDNS: Enable or Disable DDNS service to view your DVR from a computer.

c. Email: Enable or Disable email alerts based on your alarm settings.

Server: set to the NIGHTOWL server when using the Night Owl free domain name
server.
SSL: Enable or Disable to send encrypted email alerts.
Domain: set to the domain name you created when registering your DDNS.
SMTP Port: the access point for your email determined by your email service provider.
User: the UserID created during the DDNS registration process.
SMTP Server: this is the mail server address of your email provider. This information
Password: the password created during the DDNS registration process.
is determined by your email provider.

38 F DVR Series Users Manual Chapter 7: Menus and Settings 39

7.1.3 Alarm 7.2 Cameras Menu
a. Motion: configure the motion alarm settings for your DVR system. Adjust or modify individual camera settings connected to your DVR.

Channel: select the channel to configure motion alarm settings.

7.2.1 Settings
Enable: activate motion alarms.

Sensitivity: adjust the level of motion detection. A lower setting will require more Channel: select the channel you want to configure a camera for.
movement in the camera range to begin recording.
Channel Name: create a name for the selected channel; this name will be
Buzzer: toggle between ON and OFF to enable an audible alert from the DVR. displayed on-screen during live view and playback.

Post Recording: set the amount of time to record after the motion is detected. You Position: change the position of Channel Name while viewing in Live View. For
can select between 30 and 300 seconds. example U-L = Upper-Left; D-L= Down Left; U-R=Upper Right; D-R=Down Right

Area: clicking Setup will allow you to configure areas which will and will not Color: click Setup to access a sub-menu to adjust the colors of the selected
detect motion. Red boxes denote areas that will detect motion and uncolored channel. In this sub-menu you can adjust the Hue, Brightness, Contrast, and
boxes show areas that will not. When finished, right click to go back to menu. Saturation of the image.

Show Message: check the tick box to enable the display of a red “M” on-screen Covert: Enable or Disable the display of this channel. Enabling the Covert mode
while in Live View mode. “M” means motion is occuring. will not affect the channel’s recording functions; only block the channel while
viewing in live view mode.
Send Email: check the tick box to send an email alert when motion is detected.
See section 7.1.2. for email setup and configuration. Record Time: Enable or Disable the recording time display on-screen during
playback mode.
Full Screen: when this tick box is checked, the selected channel will go to full
screen when motion is detected. Show Time: Enable or Disable the on-screen timestamp during live view mode.

Push: selecting this tick box will enable push notifications to your mobile device
when motion is detected in the selected channel. The default setting is on.

Record Channel: this option gives you the ability to start recording on the
channels you select/highlight as soon as motion has been detected on the Channel
selected above within the Channel field.

40 F DVR Series Users Manual Chapter 7: Menus and Settings 41

7.3 Record Menu 5. Slow Forward: forwards the video at a slower speed.
6. Play: plays video starting at the indicator on the timeline.
From this menu you can enable recording, set video settings, and adjust 7. Pause: pause the recorded video.
streaming options. 8. Stop: stop the recorded video.
9. Fast Forward: fast forward frame-by-frame of the recorded event.
10. Zoom: click the icon and select the area on-screen to zoom in.
7.3.1 General (Playback) 11. Clip/Save: click once to set the start point of the video you would like to save.
Press the icon again to select the end point of the video you would like
Search and playback all recorded video from this menu. Choose your desired to save then choose whether you would like to save as an H.264 or AVI format.
date and times from the options below, then click Play to view recorded video. 12. Volume Scale: adjust the volume of the video in the selected channel(s).
Right-click to exit back to the menu screen. 13. Start Time: indicates the beginning of the timeline on the selected Calendar date.
14. End Time: indicates the end of the timeline.
15. Timeline Length (24h, 2h, 1h, 30m): select the duration of the on-screen
display of the timeline.
16. Exit: double right click the mouse or click on the X to exit the playback screen.

7.3.2 Events (Playback & Backup Files)

Search for video from triggered events and quickly backup the video files for
future reference. You can select either All, Normal or Motion.
Channel: select the channel you would like to playback footage from.
Type: search All, Normal or Motion video to playback.
Playback Channel: choose the desired channel to view footage from.
Start Time: set the initial time parameter for your video search.
End Time: set the end time parameter for your video search.

16

2 Date: select the date to search for event footage.

Time: choose a start and end time that the event happened.
3
Channel: pick the channel(s) with the desired video.
Type: select from All, Normal, or Motion video.
15
Search: once the parameters are set, click this button to retrieve video from
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
the specified time period. You can choose to save the video file as an AVI or
1. Calendar: indicate the date to playback video. H.264 format.
2. Channel Selection: choose the channels to display on-screen. Quick Backup: check the tick boxes to the left of the found video clip(s) and click
3. Full Screen: hides the Calendar and Channel Selection panels. this button to save that video to a USB Flash Drive. You can also Playback by right
4. Rewind: rewinds the recorded video. clicking on the icon located in the playback section.

42 F DVR Series Users Manual Chapter 7: Menus and Settings 43

7.3.3 Settings (Recordings) Motion Record: select this option to set the schedule for motion-activated
recording. Once selected, highlight the boxes corresponding to the day and times
View or modify general recording settings for your DVR system. that the DVR should record when motion is detected. By default, motion recording
is always on.

a. Basic: turn channel recording capabilities on or off.

c. Mainstream: configure or adjust the video settings to best optimize for your
Channel: select the channel you would like to configure.
connection.
Record: Enable or Disable recording capabilities for this channel.
Resolution: choose between WD1 (960 x 576), WHD1 (960 x 288), or
Pre-Record: Enable or Disable pre-recording for this channel. Pre-recording is the WCIF (480 x 240) resolutions based on your TV or monitor capabilities.
amount of video captured prior to an alarm being triggered.
FPS: increase or decrease the frames per second of the streaming video
depending on your connection speed. A higher FPS will result in more data
transfer but smoother video. A lower FPS will eliminate most lag but at the
expense of video quality.
Bitrate: adjust the amount of data transferred while streaming. The default setting
is sufficient for most networks.
Audio: click the tick box to record sound if your camera is audio enabled. Audio
enabled cameras are only included in certain kit models. Audio enabled cameras
will have a white RCA plug to transmit the audio signal.

NOTE: By default, the DVR is configured to begin recording when motion is

detected.

b. Record Schedule: set parameters for recording situations. For example, from
this menu you can configure your camera on channel one to record from 1pm-
9pm (Scheduled) and the remaining cameras to begin recording only when motion
is detected (Motion).
Channel: select the channel to configure the recording schedule.
Normal Record: select this option to set the schedule for continuous recording.
Once selected, highlight the boxes corresponding to the day and times that the
channel should be recording. Click and drag to highlight multiple boxes green.

44 F DVR Series Users Manual Chapter 7: Menus and Settings 45

7.4 Device Menu Channel: choose the channel with a PTZ-enabled camera. Not all cameras are PTZ
enabled.

Protocol: select Pelco-D or Pelco-P depending on the camera protocol. Both the
7.4.1 HDD DVR and camera should be set to the same setting.

Check available memory on your DVR HDD and set recording parameters to Baudrate: indicate the frequency of communication to the PTZ camera. We
optimize storage. recommend leaving the default setting which is 9600.

DataBit: select the amount of data to send during each transmission. 8 bits is
standard for all modern data transmissions.

StopBit: select the amount of extra data to send each time a direction is sent to
the camera. The stopbit serves as a buffer between commands and should be 1
(by default) when utilizing Night Owl’s AHD PTZ camera.

Parity: detects corrupt commands sent to and from the PTZ camera. This should
generally be left Disabled.

Cruise: Enable or Disable the PTZ cruise function, which allows the camera to
Select: if multiple drives are installed, choose the HDD you would like to automatically scan the area periodically with no manual input.
customize.
Address: enter an ID number for the PTZ camera, greater than 0. If using multiple
Overwrite: by default, the Auto setting will overwrite the earliest footage once the PTZ cameras, ID numbers cannot be the same.
HDD is full. Choose one of the other options to overwrite footage at the end of the
desired time duration, starting with the earliest data. Off will record until the HDD
has reached capacity.
7.5 System Menu
Format HDD: click this button to format the selected drive. Keep in mind,
formatting the HDD will erase all video files from the HDD.

7.5.1 General
7.4.2 PTZ Set or adjust basic DVR settings such as the time, date, and language.

Configure settings on your DVR to control a PTZ-enabled camera.

46 F DVR Series Users Manual Chapter 7: Menus and Settings 47

a. Settings: basic system configuration. 7.5.2 Users
Date: manually set the date by left clicking on the calendar icon
Time: manually set the time by left clicking inside the time field. Create and modify user’s permissions.

Date Format: choose the display format for the date. You can select Month/Day/
Year, Year/Month/Day or Day/Month/Year.
Time Format: select between a 12Hour or 24Hour display.
Language: pick between ENGLISH, SPANISH or FRENCH language preferences.
Video Format: NTSC or PAL formats are available to choose from. NTSC is the
standard for video in North America.
Menu Timeouts: select the duration of time for an inactive menu to be displayed
on-screen.
Support Overscan: when this option is enabled the DVR will automatically resize Edit: select an existing user from the list to change the User Name, Enable or
the viewing window to fit the aspect ratio of the connected monitor. Disable password access, or create a new Password.
Show Wizard: check the tick box to display the Startup Wizard each time the DVR
is powered on.
Mobile Wizard: click the mobile icon to launch mobile application setup portion of
the Startup Wizard.

b. DST: configure Daylight Savings Time settings.

DST: Enable or Disable the Daylight Savings Time feature.
Time Offset: choose the amount of time (1Hour or 2Hours) to offset if DST is
enabled. Permission: select a new user profile (e.g. user1) and press the Permission button
Daylight Saving Time: indicate whether you would like this feature to be applied to select which menus, settings, and playback/recording functions are available
the week of or an exact date. to that specific user and on which channels. All will give that user basic admin
settings.
Start Time: select the date and time to apply the DST offset.
End Time: select the date and time to remove the DST offset.

c. NTP: sync your DVR to the Network Time Protocol standard time and date.
NTP: Enable or Disable the NTP sync feature.
Server Address: choose the NTP server in which to sync the date and time with.
Time Zone: indicate your current or desired time zone.
Update Now: after selecting the above options, click this button to apply the
settings.

48 F DVR Series Users Manual Chapter 7: Menus and Settings 49

7.5.3 Info 7.5.4 Log
View your DVR system’s information and specifications at a glance. This menu will Search for logs of all events and notifications on the DVR to playback or backup files.
provide crucial device and network information to allow manual reconfiguration of
your mobile application if needed. Keep in mind you can also scan the QR code
on this screen using your Night Owl HD mobile application to quickly reconfigure
your mobile device via our Owl Scan feature.

Log Type: select the type of event log that you would like to Search for. Each
choice corresponds to an action or event that was triggered and noted within the
system. For example, System logs are recorded when the DVR time is synced
with NTP (if enabled) or if the system is turned on or off.
Device ID: create a unique device ID number if you are using multiple DVRs.
Start Time: choose the initial date of your log search period.
Device Name: create a unique device name for easy reference.
End Time: choose the end date of your log search period.
Device Type: product’s model number.

Hardware Version: your current hardware version.

Software Version: your current software version.

IE Client Version: the current IE client version.

IP Address: the current DVR network address.

MAC Address: the DVR media access control address on the network.

HDD Capacity: the max capacity of installed hard drives.

Backup: in order to save a log, a USB flash drive must be inserted into one of the
Video Format: your current video recording format. available USB ports on the back of the DVR. Select the log or logs you would like
to save; you will then be prompted to specify which drive to save to.
Media Port: by default should be left at 9000.

Web Port: by default should be left at 2049 or 2051.

P2P: the ID of your Peer to Peer (P2P) connection.

50 F DVR Series Users Manual Chapter 7: Menus and Settings 51

7.6 Advanced Menu 7.6.2 Events
Configure additional settings related to maintenance, hard drive space, and Configure notification settings for other triggered events not related to motion
upgrades. detection such as disk error, disk full or and/or video loss.

7.6.1 Maintain

Adjust settings related to default user access and reboot schedules.

Event Type: choose the type of event you would like to create a notification for.
Disk Full means you will receive a notification if the HDD is full. Disk Error refers
to the status of the HDD and will notify you if it crashes or has become corrupt.
Video Loss is the absence of video due to power loss disconnection.

Enable: turn notifications on or off for the selected Event Type.

Default User: choose a user to default at the login screen at startup.
Show Message: enable an icon to be displayed in Live View when the selected
Auto Reboot: Enable or Disable a scheduled reboot.
Event Type is triggered.
Reboot: set the frequency of reboots if this feature is enabled.
Send Email: send an email notification when this Event Type is detected.
Update: if any of the above settings were changed, click this button to save the
Buzzer: turn an audible buzzer on for a duration of time to alert you when this
new parameters.
Event Type happens. Choose OFF to disable this feature. You can select in
Load Default: revert back to the standard reboot schedule. between 10 and 60 seconds.

Save Settings: save reboot settings to a USB flash drive.

Load Settings: load previously saved settings from a USB flash drive.

Shutdown: reboot the DVR.

52 F DVR Series Users Manual Chapter 7: Menus and Settings 53

7.6.3 Auto Upgrade
Control settings for auto upgrades of the DVR software.

Auto Upgrade: Enable or Disable the auto upgrade feature. Firmware updates will
be detected automatically when this feature is enabled. The default selection for CHAPTER 8
REMOTE ACCESS
the auto upgrade feature is enable.

Check For Updates: check this tick box to periodically check for updated software
versions.

Detect: click this button to query your DVR and notify you if you are current or
need to be updated.

Upgrade: if an upgrade is detected, click this button to download and install the
new version.

54 F DVR Series Users Manual Chapter 8: Remote Access 55

SUPPORT VIDEOS
Chapter 8: Remote Access 8.3 Network Configuration

This chapter will show you how to connect your DVR to the Internet. You will learn
8.3.1 Windows® Operating Systems
how to properly connect your DVR to your router/modem and setup port, Internet,
and mobile configurations along DDNS registration.
Make sure that the DVR is properly connected to the router/modem and that you
have a computer that works with Windows and connected to the same router.

8.1 System Requirements Follow these steps to determine the basic information about your network:

You will need to have the following in order to be able to successfully connect the
1. Press the Windows and R key at the same time on your computer’s keyboard to
DVR to the Internet.
bring up the Run window. Type “cmd” and press the Enter key.

• High-speed Internet connection

• Router or modem with two open Ethernet ports
• Computer with Internet Explorer 7, 8, 9, or 10 and Windows® XP, Windows®
Vista, Windows® 7, and Windows® 8 operating systems
• 2x Ethernet cables (1x included with the system; see image below)

8.2 Setup
Learn how to connect the DVR to your router/modem.
2. In the command prompt window, type “ipconfig” and press Enter. Find
the section named “Ethernet adapter Ethernet” or “Wireless LAN adapter
Wi-Fi” and locate the “IPv4 Address” and write this address down e.g.
192.168.1.123.

Ethernet DVR Router (Not Included)

NOTE: Do not connect the DVR to a wireless router.

3. Change the last three digits of the address to 150 and write this address down
as well e.g. 192.168.1.150. This will become the IP address of your DVR at a
later time.

4. Find “Default Gateway” in the same section and write this number down
as well e.g. 192.168.1.1. You will need to enter this in the DVR network
settings.

56 F DVR Series Users Manual Chapter 8: Remote Access 57

For the following steps, use the information that you just wrote down. To access
the network settings on your DVR, go to the General Menu, then to Network >
Main and choose the Static option.

4. DNS1 and DNS2 fields are auto-populated in most cases, if they are not they
need to be set as follows: DNS1: [Gateway] DNS2: 8.8.8.8.

5. Click the Save button to apply all changes.

1. Manually enter the IP address into the IP Address field; this is the number
that ends with 150. You may have to add placeholder zeros for any sections 6. Reboot or power cycle the DVR.
that do not contain three digits e.g. 192.168.1.150 192.168.001.150.
NOTE: Write these addresses down in the User Information section at the end of
the manual for future reference.

8.3.2 Mac® Operating Systems

Make sure that the DVR is properly connected to the router/modem.

Follow these steps to determine basic information about your network:

2. Confirm that the Subnet Mask is set to 255.255.255.000.
1. Select the Airport icon on your computer screen and choose the “Open
Network Preferences” option.

2. Choose Ethernet and select the Advanced button in the lower right corner.

3. Select the TCP/IP tab at the top to display your computer’s network
information.

4. Write down the “IPv4 address.“

5. Change the last three digits of the address to 150 and write this address down
as well e.g. 192.168.1.150. This will become the IP address of your DVR at a
3. Enter the “Default Gateway” number from the prior section into the Gateway later time.
field. Again you will need to add placeholder zeros in any sections that do not
contain three digits e.g. 192.168.1.1 192.168.001.001. 6. Make note of the IP address listed for router. You will need to enter this into
the DVR network settings.

58 F DVR Series Users Manual Chapter 8: Remote Access 59

For the following steps, use the information that you just wrote down. To access
the network settings on your DVR, go to the General Menu, then to Network >
Main and choose the Static option.

4. DNS1 and DNS2 fields are auto-populated in most cases, if they are not they
need to be set as follows: DNS1: [Gateway] DNS2: 8.8.8.8.

5. Click the Save button to apply all changes.

1. Manually enter the IP address into the IP Address field; this is the number
that ends with 150. You may have to add placeholder zeros for any sections 6. Reboot or power cycle the DVR.
that do not contain three digits e.g. 192.168.1.150 192.168.001.150.
NOTE: Write these addresses down in the User Information section at the end of
the manual for future reference.

8.3.3 Port Configuration

After you have configured the network settings, you will need to forward the
necessary ports to be able to view the DVR over the Internet.

2. Confirm that the Subnet Mask is set to 255.255.255.000. Refer to your router’s documentation to see how port forwarding works for your
device. This process may be referred to as “Port Forwarding,” “Port Mapping,” or
“Virtual Server.”

Below are some general considerations to keep in mind to make sure that the
appropriate ports are forwarded:

1. Go to http://whatismyip.com. Your public IP address will appear at the top of

the page; write this number down.
2. Open the Internet Explorer browser and type in your IP address in the URL bar.

3. Enter the “Default Gateway” number from the prior section into the Gateway 3. Log in to your router using your user name and password. If you do not know
field. Again you will need to add placeholder zeros in any sections that do not your router’s user name and password you will need to contact your ISP or the
contain three digits e.g. 192.168.1.1 192.168.001.001. router manual/support to retrieve that information.
4. Once logged in to your router, go to the settings related to port forwarding.

60 F DVR Series Users Manual Chapter 8: Remote Access 61

5. You will need to enter a new port forwarding entry for each port that your DVR 8.3.4 DDNS Registration
uses: Media Port (9000), Web Port (2049 or 2051). Repeat the steps below
for each entry. This option allows you to set up a free website address that will point back to the
6. When entering the port numbers and IP address into your router’s port DVR, regardless of whether or not the IP address changes. If you do not have a
forwarding section, you will need to remove any leading zeros e.g. 09000 static IP address, you should use this option.
9000, 192.168.000.150 192.168.0.150, etc.
Follow the steps below to register a free domain name/DDNS.
7. Additionally most router menus will ask you to enter the following information
1. Go to http://www.nightowldvr.com.
in order to forward a port; the language and naming on your particular router
may be different than the below but the same principles will apply: 2. Select the Registration button located at the top left corner of the page.
• Application Name: create a unique name for your DVR system.
• Public Port: select the port to forward: Media Port (9000), Web Port (2049
or 2051), or Server Port (2050).
• Private Port: set to the same number you entered for the Public Port.
• Port Type/Protocol: if your router has an option for both, use TCP and UDP.
If your router allows either TCP or UDP port types, use TCP.
• Host IP Address: set to your DVR IP address ending in 150 that you wrote
down earlier.

Once you have forwarded the necessary ports on your router, you should check to
make sure they have been correctly forwarded.
3. Complete the New User Registration form. Write down the UserID and
Password information.
1. Go to http://www.yougetsignal.com/tools/open-ports/.

2. Type in port 9000 and select the Check button to see if the port is open or
closed.

3. Type in port 2049 or 2051 and select the Check button to see if the port is
open or closed.

4. All ports should be open. If any ports test as closed, that port is not forwarded
correctly.

NOTE: Write you external address in the User Information section at the end of
the manual. 4. Create a domain name.

5. If the domain name that you have chosen is available, you will see a window
that tells you that your domain was successfully created. If the domain name
is taken, try again until you find an available name.

NOTE: Write the registered domain name down in the User Information section at
the end of the manual.

62 F DVR Series Users Manual Chapter 8: Remote Access 63

8.3.5 Adding the DDNS to Your DVR
After you have registered for a free domain name you will need to add that domain
to your DVR.

To do so you will need to access the DDNS settings. Go to the General menu and
then to the Network settings and the DDNS section.

CHAPTER 9
GLOSSARY
1. Set the DDNS field to Enable.

2. Verify that the Server field is still set to NIGHTOWL.

3. In the Domain field, input the domain name that was created during the
DDNS registration.

4. Input the UserID and Password you created at registration into the User and
Password fields respectively.

5. Click Save to apply the changes.

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Chapter 9: Glossary
DDNS: Dynamic Domain Naming System. Method for automatically updating
hostnames, address, or other information like a URL on a given name server.

DHCP: Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. A network protocol that allows a

server to automatically assign a device and IP address.

FPS: Frames Per Second.

ISP: Internet Service Provider. An organization that provides services for accessing
or using the Internet.

IP: Internet Protocol. Protocol for standard communications across the Internet. CHAPTER 10
PPPOE: Point-to-Point Protocol Over Ethernet. Specifications needed to connect
multiple addresses on a local network to a remote site. WARRANTY
SSL: Secure Sockets Layer. Provides a secure connection between web browsers
and websites.

SMTP: Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. Standards used for email transmission.

UPS: Uninterrupted Power Supply. Device used to keep the DVR and cameras
powered when the main power supply is lost or disconnected.

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Chapter 10: Warranty
Except as otherwise prohibited by law, this warranty is in lieu of other warranties,
express or implied, and Night Owl neither assumes no authorizes any person to
assume for it any other obligation or liability in connection with the sale or service
NIGHT OWL, LLC (‘Night Owl”) provides the following warranty to the original retail of the Product.
purchaser only (the “Purchaser”) with respect to this product (the “Product”):
In no event shall Night Owl be liable for any special or consequential damages
For a period of one (1) year after the date of sale, the Product shall be free arising from the use of the Product or arising from the malfunctioning or non-
from manufacturing defects in material and workmanship. In the event that the functioning of the Product, or for any delay in the performance of this warranty
Product is defective, the Purchaser must return the Product at Purchaser’s cost due to any cause beyond its control. This warranty shall not apply to installation or
(no CODs) to the address below, with the original proof of purchase receipt. In its the removal and reinstallation of products after repair.
sole discretion, Night Owl will either repair or replace the Product at no additional
cost to the Purchaser. Any replacement Product (or parts) will be covered by the Night Owl does not make any claims or warranties of any kind whatsoever
same warranty as the original Product through the expiration date of the original regarding the Product’s potential, ability or effectiveness to prevent, minimize,
warranty period. or in any way affect personal or property damage or injury. Night Owl is not
responsible for any personal damage, loss or theft related to the Product or to its
use for any harm, whether physical or mental related thereto. Any and all claims
Exclusions or statements, whether written or verbal, by salespeople, retailers, dealers or
distributors to the contrary are not authorized by Night Owl, and do not affect this
This warranty does not apply to the following parts or upon the following events: provision of this warranty.

1. Bulbs, LEDs and batteries;

2. The Product was not used or installed in the manner described in the
Returns Under this Warranty
installation instructions;
In order to obtain service, please make sure that you have registered your product
3. Negligent use of the Product, or misuse or abuse of the Product; on-line no later than thirty (30) days after purchase at www.NightOwlSP.com
in the warranty registration section or in any other manner described in the
4. Electrical short circuits or power surges;
instructions.
5. Use of replacement parts not supplied by Night Owl;

6. Product is either tampered with, modified, or repaired by another service Disclaimer

provider;

7. Product has not been maintained in accordance; Certain uses, publication and/or distribution of video/audio recordings from
security cameras and/or audio devices are prohibited or restricted by federal, state
8. Accident, fire, flood or other acts of God; and local laws. When enabling and/or using audio recording features with your
hidden security camera, be sure to comply with the laws in your country, state and
9. Failure to use Night Owl approved accessories;
locality.
10. Defects or damages arising by use of the Produce in other than normal
conditions (including normal atmospheric, moisture and humidity conditions). Mac and Mac OS X are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. Windows, Windows XP,
Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8 are registered trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

68 F DVR Series Users Manual Chapter 10: Warranty 69

 CHAPTER 11
TROUBLESHOOTING

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Chapter 11: Troubleshooting
If a problem occurs, you may be able to easily correct it yourself. The following
table describes some common issues and their most likely solutions. Please refer
to the table before calling technical support.

Error Possible Causes Solutions Error Possible Causes Solutions

1. Confirm that all cables are 1. Check the camera video
connected correctly. cable and connections.
Cable from power adapter is
2. Confirm that the power 2. Disconnect and reconnect the
loose or is unplugged. There is no picture on selected
adapter is securely connected Camera cables are loose of have cable at the system and at
channels/camera picture Is not
to the back of the unit. become disconnected. the camera.
being displayed.
3. Try moving the camera to
1. Confirm that the system is
another channel or use
powered ON (LED indicators
another cable.
on the front should be ON).
2. If the unit is connected Audio cables are loose or have Check the AUDIO connection to
System is not receiving power, through a power bar or surge been disconnected. the DVR.
or is not powering up. protector, try bypassing the
Left click in Live View to bring
Cables are connected, but bar and connecting the power
The image on the DVR appears, up the Volume control and
system is not receiving sufficient directly to the wall outlet. Audio channels are disable.
but does not have sound. ensure that the channel(s) are
power. 3. Confirm that there is power at
not low or muted.
the outlet.
4. Connecting the power cable Volume on external speakers Increase volume on external
to another outlet. (not included) is low or off. speakers (not included).
5. Test the outlet with another
A “whirring” noise is coming The noise means the exhaust
plugged device (such as a Fan is active.
from the system. fan is working normal.
phone charger).
The system beeps at startup. The beep at startup is normal.
Battery in the remote control is
Remote control is not detected drained. Install two fresh AAA alkaline Go to the General Menu >
The system beeps during motion Motion detection is enabled, but
by the system. batteries in the remote control. Alarm, select the channel and
There are no batteries in the detection. the alarm buzzer is activated.
turn Buzzer to OFF.
remote control.
Remove the cover and check Email notification is disabled.
Hard drive cables are loose or See section 7.1.2. for details on
that the hard drive cables are I am not receiving email
Hard drive is not detected by not properly connected. email configuration.
firmly connected. notifications. Default setting is disabled, but
the system. you have not entered your own
There is no hard drive in the Open the cover and install a
SMTP information.
system. 3.5” SATA hard drive.
Go to the Device Menu > HDD
Hard drive is full (0%) and the
Overwrite is not enabled. and ensure that Overwrite is set
unit is no longer recording.
to Auto.
Mouse cable is not firmly
connected to the system. Firmly connect the mouse cable
to the USB Mouse port on the
Mouse is not connected to the front panel.
system.
Power off the system
Mouse not detected by system.
(disconnect power cable). Firmly
connect a USB mouse to the
System needs to be reset. USB Mouse port on the front
panel of the system. Reconnect
the power cable to the DC 19V
port on the real panel.

72 F DVR Series Users Manual Chapter 11: Troubleshooting 73

 CHAPTER 12
CUSTOMER SUPPORT

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Chapter 12: Customer Support
Before you return to the store, we might be able to save you a trip:

ONLINE
• www.NightOwlSP.com
• 24/7 Product Support
• How-To Videos
•
•
Manuals
Firmware Updates, etc. CHAPTER 13
EMAIL
USER INFORMATION
• Technical Support: [email protected]
• Sales Support: [email protected]

PHONE (English & Spanish)

• Technical Support: register at www.NightOwlSP.com
to receive technical phone support.
• Sales Support: 1.561.265.5272
• Professional Installation: 1.800.806.5513

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Chapter 13: User Information
Be sure to write down all the important information below and place it in a secure
location.

General DVR Information

Admin Password: _________________________________________________________

User Password: ___________________________________________________________

Mac Address: ____________________________________________________________

Serial Number: ___________________________________________________________

Internet Login Information

Internal IP Address: _______________________________________________________

Public IP Address: ________________________________________________________

DDNS Name:_____________________________________________________________

DDNS UserID: ___________________________________________________________

DDNS Password: _________________________________________________________

Media Port: ______________________________________________________________

Web Port: _______________________________________________________________

78 F DVR Series Users Manual

www.NightOwlSP.com