Installing DW Spectrum (Windows)
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Affected Roles: Administrator, Owner
Related Digital Watchdog VMS Apps: DW Spectrum IPVMS
Software Version: DW Spectrum v5.1 or newer
Last Edit: September 1, 2023
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Creating A New System
DW Spectrum is composed of two parts:
- DW Spectrum Media Server – the Media Server is Spectrum. The media server is responsible for the recording, contains the database information of your added cameras and user profiles, and is arguably the most important aspect of the DW Spectrum IPVMS platform. The Media Server is supposed to be installed on a computer that will be acting as your server. If you have a DW Blackjack server, this software is already installed.
- DW Spectrum Client – the Client software provides the graphical interface with which users may utilize to interact with the Media Server and allows users to see what the Media Server is doing. Some features include allowing users to configure settings, view live and recorded video, and manage device connections. The Client is helpful for accessing the Media Server, but is not required to remain running for the Media Server to do its job. Instead, it is recommended that users install the DW Spectrum Client software on a separate computer from the DW Spectrum Media Server computer to save on processing.
These two portions of DW Spectrum IPVMS combine to make a System. A System can refer to a group of merged servers or to a single server.
This article will explain how to install DW Spectrum IPVMS, create a new server, create a new System, and how to change the System name and password.
Supported/Affected Devices
- DW Blackjack® Server Series
Installing DW Spectrum
To install DW Spectrum on Windows:
- To obtain the installation files for DW Spectrum, open a web browser and visit the DW Spectrum IPVMS product page on the Digital Watchdog website.
- Click on the Software tab and select “DW Spectrum IPVMS Latest Software”.
- Your web browser will be routed to the DW Cloud Downloads webpage.
Select the Windows tab and download the needed installation package for your system.
- Client Installer – download the installation package for the desktop client software component; used for system viewing and management.
- Server Installer – download the installation package for the media server software component; used for hosting the system and recording media.
- Client & Server – a bundled installation package that contains both the Client and Server software components. DO NOT use this option if you are installing DW Spectrum on a workstation for viewing purposes only.
- Run the installation wizard and complete the installation of DW Spectrum IPVMS on your computer. By default, a shortcut will be added to the computer desktop.
Creating a New System
1. Launch DW Spectrum and create a New Server.
- As this is a first-time setup for DW Spectrum, select Setup New System, then name the System. The System name can be changed later.
- Create an Administrator password. This password will be the login password for the Administrator user profile and can be changed later.
**NOTE: It is recommended to create a password that uses at least eight characters and contains at least two variations of lowercase letters, capitalized letters, numbers, or non-roman symbols.
- The System is now created and ready to use.
Use the login of “admin” and the password that you created in the previous step to log in and use the System.
Changing the Administrator Password and System Name
- To change the password of the local Admin user, launch DW Spectrum and connect with the System.
Right-click on the System (house icon) and select Open Web Client.
- A browser will open and connect with the System. Enter the Administrator ID and Password to log in.
**NOTE: An alternate method of accessing this web client is to use the Server IP Address to connect through a web browser.
- After logging into the System Web Client, open the Settings tab then open the Users menu.
Select the admin (Owner) profile and click the Change Password button.
Enter the current admin password and new admin password for the system then click the Save button.
- To change the System name, select the System Administration tab and open the General menu.
Click the edit icon beside the current system name and enter the new name of the System, then click the Save button to rename the System.
It is recommended that keep track of your password. If the Administrator password is forgotten, a password reset form must be submitted for all Blackjack Series NVRs.
If the DW Spectrum Server is installed on a custom-built server (not a DW Blackjack Series NVR), a clean reinstallation of the DW Spectrum Server will be required to reset a forgotten password. To learn how to completely uninstall DW Spectrum, check out DW Spectrum Clean Reinstall.
For More Information or Technical Support
DW Technical Support: 866.446.3595 (option 4)
https://www.digital-watchdog.com/contact-tech-support/
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DW Sales: 866.446.3595 [email protected] www.digital-watchdog.com
