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How To Set Cameras to Record On DW Spectrum

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Affected Roles: Administrator
Related Digital Watchdog VMS Apps: DW Spectrum
Complexity: Low

Last Edit:  August 27, 2024

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DW Spectrum IPVMS is free to use for streaming live video from IP cameras through a server. However, if you want to have the ability to record and playback footage, the use of a recording license is required to archive the data on the server.  If you have not activated licenses, refer to our article regarding the activation of licenses.

Resource Tree Recording Status

No active license, no previous recording archived - 

• Typical for cameras that are new to the configuration.  Recording has not been enabled yet, and there is no previous archived data listed.

Active license, active recording schedule - 

• Applies to cameras that have a license applied, as well as a recording schedule.

Active license, no active recording schedule - 

• Camera has license applied, but no active recording schedule (common for cameras that are set to record only when I/O is triggered).
• May also potentially indicate communicative issues on a case-by-case basis.

No active license, previous recording archive available - 

• Camera previously had recording license enabled but currently does not.  Common with replaced cameras where archived footage is still available for review.
• May also indicate communication to a server with necessary license has been lost for more than 30 days.

 

Enabling Recording (Single Device)

**NOTE: FPS and bitrate settings will only apply if optimization is enabled.  If optimization is disabled, FPS and bitrate will need to be adjusted on the camera directly.  More info on optimization available here.

1. Log on to the server as an administrative role
2. Right-click on your desired device and select "Camera Settings"
   
3. Navigate to the Recording menu and toggle on the recording switch
   
4. Set your FPS and bitrate.  You can then select the recording parameter you wish to use, then apply the changes to your schedule.
   

 

You can select single hours on single days, as well as click-and-drag across a desired timeframe to change the recording parameters:

 

Selecting the hour will change the parameter for that hour on all days:

Selecting the day will change the parameter for all hours of that day:
 

 

Selecting "all" will apply the parameter to every day/hour on the schedule:
 

 

Enable Recording (Multiple Devices)

 

If you wish to apply the same parameters to other cameras, you can select the "copy schedule to" button, then select the devices that you would like to have adjusted.

 

Alternative Method

 

On step #1, rather than selecting a single device, you can:

 

Hold SHIFT + Left click to select a block of sequential devices

or

Hold CTRL + Left-click to specify single devices.

 

You can then right-click, open camera settings, and apply recording to devices.

 

**NOTE:  Some cameras have limited FPS/Bitrate.  Spectrum will automatically apply the closest setting if the camera cannot support the applied settings.  If optimization is disabled, FPS/quality will be ignored and only the schedule will apply.