WinDSX Integration with DW Spectrum IPVMS

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Affected Roles:  Owner, Administrator

Last Edit:  September 9, 2022

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WinDSX – DW Edition

DSX Access Systems offers the WinDSX software as an access control option. This software can be integrated with DW Spectrum IPVMS to allow stored and live video from a DW Spectrum Server which can then be accessed with the WinDSX software. All video is transmitted over a local area network (LAN) connection.

This article will outline how to install the DW Edition WinDSX driver and configuring WinDSX for integration with a DW Spectrum Server or DVR/NVR.

 

DSX Configuration

 

Operation

Real time video can be automatically displayed in response to alarm events. Additionally, the operator can request real time and stored video from the alarm acknowledgement screen or from any input/output or camera icon. Recorded Video can also be viewed while running a history report. Simply highlight the event you would like to see the video for and click the “Show Video” button. The system will find the video that matches the event time and date and display it on screen.

 

Installing the DSX DVR/NVR Driver

Each of the DVR/NVR Drivers are slightly different. The following instructions work for most all drivers:

1. Copy the files from the Driver Disk into the WinDSX folder on each PC that will have access to the DVR. There are different folders for each different driver. In the folder there may be a text file that gives details and instructions particular to that driver. Be sure to follow these closely.

 

2. To install, navigate to the Driver in the WinDSX folder where you copied it to and right click and select Run as Administrator.

 

3. Select the WinDSX folder or the folder where the WinDSX software is installed on this PC. Click on “Next”.

 

4. Once the installation is complete click on Finish.

 

**NOTE: The driver must be installed on each PC you want to access the Video from.

 

Configuring WinDSX for DW Spectrum Server Integration

To configure the WinDSX software for use with a DW Spectrum Server:

1. Select the appropriate “Location” for where the Camera is installed. In the WinDSX Workstation software, select the “Hardware” tab and then select the Camera Icon.

To include existing cameras, right-click any existing cameras and select the “Add” Button.

2. Assign a “Camera Number” to each Camera. This is a number that is only used for identification purposes by the WinDSX software and has no relation to the camera numbering of the DVR/NVR. You may use the camera number that is used by the DVR or an arbitrary number.
3. Enter the “Name” of the Camera. The name should be descriptive of the view that this camera selection will deliver.
4. Skip the “Comm Port” entry as it is not utilized with DVR/NVR communications. WinDSX interfaces with the DVR/NVR over a Local Area Network connection.
5. Enter the “List Order” number setting to set the order that the camera will be listed in the Camera window of the WinDSX Workstation program.
6. Skip “Control Output”.
7. Select an Icon to represent the camera in the Workstation Program.
8. Select the camera type which is the type of DVR/NVR that WinDSX is communicating with.

For a Digital Watchdog DVR/NVR unit, select “DVR”.

 

9. Select the “Digital Video Camera” tab.

 

10. Enter the “DVR Server Name”.

Use the DNS name or the TCP/IP address of the DW Spectrum Server. This name or address is how the unit is "Known" on the PC Local Area Network.

When entering the information, separate the address from the port with a comma (,).

 

**NOTE: DW Spectrum uses Port 7001 (like in the example above) by default.

 

11. Select cameras for the “Assign Cameras” setting.

For a DW Spectrum Server, enter the camera name exactly as it is labeled in the Server. For other systems, enter the DVR/NVR Camera Numbers.

The camera, as defined in the WinDSX system, can be representative of multiple cameras or just a single camera on a DVR/NVR. This means that each camera on the DVR/NVR could be independently defined in WinDSX for unique and individual control or a select group of cameras on the DVR/NVR could be defined as just one camera in WinDSX for group display and control. A camera could also be defined more than once in WinDSX. For example, a PTZ camera could be defined multiple times with different PTZ presets for different viewing angles.

Use a comma separated list of all cameras that should be associated together. For example, using “1,3,6,8” in this field would instruct the system to pull up video from cameras 1, 3, 6, and 8 when this camera is selected in the WinDSX program.

12. Enter the “History to Retrieve in Seconds” setting.

This will set the amount (in seconds) of the stored video that should be displayed when an alarm event has been triggered. The desired retrieval time is always split into half.

For example, if you enter 120 seconds and stored video that is associated to an alarm event has been requested, you will receive 60 seconds of footage that took place before the event and 60 seconds after the event has occurred. Half of the time before the event had occurred and half of the time after the events had occurred.

No more than 300 seconds (5 minutes) may be retrieved at once.

13. Toggle the “PTZ Camera” setting ON if the selected camera has Pan, Tilt, and Zoom capabilities. If there are multiple cameras being defined, then this setting will apply only to the first camera in the list.
14. Enter the PTZ Preset Position.

Enter the preset position number for the PTZ camera that this camera should rotate toward and observe when live video is requested in WinDSX.

The preset position only applies to the first camera in the camera list. It is possible to define a PTZ camera more than once in the WinDSX software. This would allow the same camera to be accessed multiple different ways from within WinDSX where the camera has been added to look at a different PTZ preset position each time. For example, through one camera icon, the PTZ camera could be set to use a particular Preset to look at the front door, while the same camera could also be set to use a different Preset through a different icon to look elsewhere (like look at back door.

15. Enter the “DVR/NVR Server User Logon” information.

Enter the username/ID of the DW Spectrum Server or DVR/NVR. DW Spectrum and VMAX default is “admin”.

16. Enter the “DVR Server Password” information.

Enter the user password of the DW Spectrum Server or DVR/NVR. This passcode can be initially set up at the time of installation.

17. Restart the WinDSX Software and the DSX Comm Service.

Open the Workstation program, then open the Location and select “Cameras”. Right-click the camera to select Live or Recorded video.

 

Configuring Inputs for the DVR/NVR

By associating a camera with an Input, Live and/or stored video from a DVR/NVR can be displayed through History Reports, automatically upon alarm, and manually from Inputs within the Workstation program.

To configure an input (alarm point) to automatically call a DVR/NVR Camera from the Alarm Acknowledgement screen (optional):

1. Edit the input, select the Options Tab, and enable Display Camera on Alarm.
2. Click on the “Icons/ASCII Out tab” and select the camera to be associated with this Input. When the Input is selected in the Workstation program, video from the camera can be accessed by right-clicking on the Input and selecting Live or Stored Video from the Command Menu.

 

Configuring Outputs for the DVR/NVR

By assigning a Camera to an Output 1 under “Outputs”, an association is created that links the DVR/NVR to the “Access Granted” and “Access Denied” events from both the “Workstation Alarm” and “Monitor” windows and recorded video from History Reports.

1. To assign a Camera to an Output, edit the Output-1 of choice and select the “Options” tab.
2. Select the Camera to be associated with this Output.