Play Sound As-an-Action in DW Spectrum

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Affected Roles: Administrator, Power Users

Related Digital Watchdog VMS Apps: DW Spectrum

Software Version: 6.0

Last Edit: June 2, 2025

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Action: Play Sound

DW Spectrum allows users to create a rule with an Action that triggers an audio output, such as a pre-recorded soundbite or text-to-voice, when certain Events occur. The software comes with default sound options that can be utilized, as well as the option to upload custom sound files up to 15 seconds in duration that can be played when an Event Rule is activated.

This article will outline how to use Audio as an Action when creating an Event Rule in the DW Spectrum Client.

 

Related Articles

• DW Spectrum – Creating Event Rules
• DW Spectrum – Event Rules for Offline Camera Audio Alarm
• DW Spectrum – HTTP Request As-an-Action
• DW Spectrum – PTZ Preset As-an-Action

 

Supported Sound Files

• .WAV
• .MP3
• .OGG
• .WMA

 

How to use Audio as an Action

1. Launch DW Spectrum and log in as the Administrator or as a Power User.
2. Open the Main Menu and select the System Administration menu.
3. Open the Event Rules menu and click the +Add button to create a new rule.
4. Configure the Event conditions:
   1. When: select the type of event that will trigger the Event.
   2. At: select the specific device(s) that will be associated with the event.

 

5. Set the Action response:
   1. Action: from the list of available actions, select “Play Sound” or “Speak”.
   2. At: select the device that will output the sound file when the Event is triggered.
   3. Also Play on Source Camera: enable this option to also play the sound through the device that was selected in the previous step.
   4. Interval of Action: select to either enable this option to set a limit to how frequently the Event will trigger within a specified amount of time. Disable this option for the Action to be instantaneous.
   5. Play to Users: if enabled, the sound file will be played to the selected users through their DW Spectrum Clients.
   6. Speak to Users: if enabled, the text will be pronounced to the selected users through their DW Spectrum Clients.
6. Configure the sound/speak action:
   1. Sound File: select a sound file from the list. DW Spectrum comes with a stock of default sound files, but custom sound files can be added to the Server.
   2. Speak the Following: enter the script that you would like the text-to-voice feature to read.
7. After you have completed configuring your Event Rule, click the Apply button to save the rule.

 

8. Trigger the event to ensure that the sound plays as expected. For example, if you set the Event Rule to be triggered by motion, simulate motion in front of the camera to test it.

 

 

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Rev: 06/25                              Copyright © DW. All rights reserved. Specifications and pricing subject to change without notice.