ViewCommander Tech Support – ViewCommander https://viewcommander.com IP Camera Software Thu, 01 Aug 2024 13:19:58 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 https://viewcommander.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cropped-cropped-cropped-IVI-Logo-1-32x32.png ViewCommander Tech Support – ViewCommander https://viewcommander.com 32 32 Overview https://viewcommander.com/overview/ Thu, 15 Feb 2024 11:07:00 +0000 https://viewcommander.com/?p=2890

Online Documentation

This online documentation refers to the most recent version of ViewCommander, Version 14. Although some information is the same, you can also look at your version’s user guide here

Below lists the online documentation. All the documentation refers to the most recent version of ViewCommander, Version 14. Although some information is the same, you can also look at your version’s user guide here

]]> Adding Archive Footage Back into VC https://viewcommander.com/adding-archive-footage-back-into-vc/ Wed, 24 Jan 2024 14:50:39 +0000 https://viewcommander.com/?p=5814

Adding Archive Footage back into VC

Cameras may change location.  This is why in ViewCommander when you change the “Easy Reference Name” you get the following popup: 

By selecting “Yes” a new is created and any previous footage is no longer viewable in Playback. However, some users may still need to see that footage. To do this, follow these steps to allow access to the old folder:

1. Add New Video Source and select "ViewCommander Archive"
2. Select "Folder"

Highlight the camera’s name and select “Ok”

3. Optional: Add an "Easy Reference Name"
4. "Save"

You will not see any video. You will need to go into “Playback” to view your archives. 

*Adding a “ViewCommander Archive” video source, will not count as one of your camera licenses 

Giving Users Remote Access to Archive

1. System Settings –> “Security Settings” tab, select user and click “Assign to Cameras” (this is for Versions 13 and newer)

2. Back in the video, select “remote access” and check “enable web” 

]]> Troubleshooting a slow camera https://viewcommander.com/slow-camera-connection/ Wed, 27 Sep 2023 19:48:59 +0000 https://viewcommander.com/?p=5735

Troubleshooting a Slow Camera

If you are noticing your camera is coming in slowly to ViewCommander and/or responding slowly to PTZ commands here are some tips to troubleshoot. 

First look at your “Statistics” found on the right hand side under the “Video” tab of your video configuration panel.

  • Bandwidth: Shows your current bandwidth from the internet connection. 
  • Frames Per Second: The higher the frame count, the faster the video 
  • Video Size: Also called, resolution, refers to how many pixels wide and tall the video is. A lower resolution image will be more pixelated than a higher resolution image. 

MJPEG Video Protocol

If using MJPEG here are some things to look at:

**We recommend testing each suggestion one at a time

  1. Resolution:  Increasing the resolution will increase the level of detail in the image, while at the same time increasing the image data size. If you are on a connection with limited bandwidth this will mean fewer frames per second can be transmitted from the camera.  In this case, to increase frame rate, reducing the resolution will increase frame rate at the expense of image detail while lowering the level of detail within the image. 
  2. Max frame rate (fps): changing the fps to “0” will pull in the max frames the camera can get on the bandwidth/resolution it is set at. The camera can only send as many fps as the internet connection allows. So, increasing the fps will not necessarily mean you will get that frame rate. 

H.264 Video Protocol

If using H.264 here are some things to look at: 

**We recommend testing each suggestion one at a time

  1. Bit Rate: Adjust the bit rate to be equal to or under what the camera’s network connection can handle. In some cases, you may need to log directly into the camera’s interface if you do not see the option in ViewCommander.    **After adjusting the bit rate please note the camera will adjust the quality of the image to match the bit rate along with the resolution and the frame rate set in steps 2 and 3. 
  2. Resolution:  Increasing the resolution will increase the level of detail in the image, while at the same time increasing the image data size. If you are on a connection with limited bandwidth this will mean fewer frames per second can be transmitted from the camera.  In this case, to increase frame rate, reducing the resolution will increase frame rate at the expense of image detail while lowering the level of detail within the image. 
  3. Max frame rate (fps): changing the fps to “0” will pull in the max frames the camera can get on the bandwidth/resolution it is set at. The camera can only send as many fps as the internet connection allows. So, increasing the fps will not necessarily mean you will get that frame rate. 

Conclusion

If none of these suggestions work, try logging into your camera directly and seeing if the connection is slow there as well. 

]]> Export Video https://viewcommander.com/export-video/ Thu, 02 Feb 2023 15:43:22 +0000 https://viewcommander.com/?p=2882

How to Export Video

There are two tools to export video, the NVR software, and the Web Client. Within these tools there are different ways to export video depending on the situation. 

Exporting within the ViewCommander Application

1. Enter “Playback mode” and click “Export”

2. Select from the “Format” drop down:

These files are typically best used when exporting a few short clips. They can be played on media players such as Windows Media Player. They also can be sent via email. ASF/AVI are traditional video file formats, if you would like the most compatability for video players this is the option to choose

The VCA format is ViewCommander’s video format. It preserves the original image integrity, and incorporates timestamp, digital fingerprint, and other video information. The ViewCommander player must be downloaded separately to playback this file

The EXE is the same as the VCA format except it comes in a fully packaged player. You can send this export to anyone with a Windows computer and it will playback without the need to download the player.

The folder export is a raw copy of the video files as they were saved. This copies video and saves the original format and structure as it was saved on disk. Typically this is used for larger exports (hours/days long video clips).

All the video exports will require a start/end time and day. If exporting a AVI/ASF format you will have a few additional options to add to the exported video. 

  • Note: Depending upon the size of video being exported the export process may take some time

3. “Select Cameras”: Allows for multiple camera export. For a time range, choose one or more cameras to export the same time range.  

4. A dialog box will open asking you to select a folder. This is where you want your archive files copied to. 

Exporting within the Remote Web Access

1. On the web portal select “Archive”

2. Select a Camera

4. On the calendar select the day, time, and minute you would like to export

5. Select “Video Exports” on the right hand side of the screen –> “New Export” 

6. Select the Name, Start/End Time, type of video format and the optional timestamp then click “Export” 

  • Note: Depending upon the size of video being exported the export process may take some time

9. To view the exported video click on “Export List” 

]]> Playback Configuration Panel https://viewcommander.com/playback-configuration-panel/ Thu, 02 Feb 2023 10:40:00 +0000 https://viewcommander.com/?p=2589

Playback Configuration Panel

When the Playback Configuration Panel is selected, the system will enter Digital Video Recorder (DVR) mode for video playback. The system will remain in playback mode until the “Exit DVR” button on the DVR Control Panel is pressed. This allows you to switch to the Video and Motion tabs to adjust the video settings of the recorded video – a very useful feature to enhance the video to bring out detail that may be difficult to see.

DVR Control Panel

The DVR Control Panel allows you to Play, Stop, Pause, Fast Forward, Rewind, and Step through video during playback. These controls function similarly to a DVD player’s controls.

The slider bar underneath the controls shows the position in seconds within the minute. Clicking and moving it will allow you to move rapidly through the video.

Pressing this button will save the current video frame to a JPEG file on disk. This is useful if you need to save or send an image via email or other means. If the video frame has been digitally enhanced, the enhanced image will be saved.

  • Create AVI/ASF File (.avi/.asf)”: These files are typically best used when exporting a few short clips. They can be played on media players such as Windows Media Player. They also can be sent via email. ASF/AVI are traditional video file formats, if you would like the most compatability for video players this is the option to choose
  • “Create VCA File (.vca)”: The VCA format is ViewCommander’s video format. It preserves the original image integrity, and incorporates timestamp, digital fingerprint, and other video information. The ViewCommander player must be downloaded separately to playback this file
  • “Create Self Playing VC File (.exe)”: The EXE is the same as the VCA format except it comes in a fully packaged player. You can send this export to anyone with a Windows computer and it will playback without the need to download the player
  • “Folder Export”: The folder export is a raw copy of the video files as they were saved. This copies video and saves the original format and structure as it was saved on disk. Typically this is used for larger exports (hours/days long video clips).

Select a start time of the video to save. This value will be added to the ‘start time’.

Select the end time of the video to save. The end time cannot go past midnight of any day.

Multiple camera export. For a time range, choose one or more cameras to export the same time range. 

Check this option to rotate the video 180 degrees.

Checking this option will overlay the source and/or camera name in the exported video.

Checking this option will overlay the date and timestamp of the video in the recorded video.

NOTE: When exporting to AVI, checking any of the above options will require uncompressing the saved video, modifying the image, and recompressing the video. This will result in longer export time and possibly slightly degraded video quality. If your camera allows, rotate the video and add timestamps at the video source itself.

Press this button to begin exporting video. You will be able to choose a filename and path to save the exported video.

 

See the documentation on Exporting Video for more information on how to export archived footage. 

Date Calendar

The Date Calendar will highlight the dates when video was recorded. The dates will be in boldface, making them easy to select. Click on a date to select video recorded on that day. A listing of the hours video was recorded will be displayed in the Hour Listing box.

Hour / Minute / Integrity Listing

When a date is selected, a listing of all hours that video was recorded will be displayed in this box. Clicking on a listed hour will produce a minute listing in the Minute Listing box.

This displays a list of minutes video was recorded for the date and hour selected. Select a minute from this listing and press the “Play” button on the DVR Control Panel to view the archived video.

A message will be displayed confirming whether or not the video has been altered. The message “Image Integrity Not Verified” means the video has either been modified by an external program, or no fingerprint information has been saved with the video. A confirmation message “Image Integrity Verified” will be displayed if the image and timestamp match the digital fingerprint saved when the video was recorded.

Lock or Delete archives

Pressing the Lock button will lock video for the Day, Hour, or Minute selected, depending on what option is selected in the pull-down menu adjacent to this button. Locked video cannot be deleted unless it is unlocked.

Pressing the Delete button will delete video for the Day, Hour, or Minute selected, depending on what option is selected in the pull-down menu adjacent to this button. Locked video cannot be deleted until it is unlocked.

Additional Features

Checking this option will display video only at the times which an event occurred.

]]> Event Notifications https://viewcommander.com/event-notifications/ Fri, 09 Dec 2022 15:12:34 +0000 https://viewcommander.com/?p=5189

Sending Event Notifications

You have now set up email to send notifications when things like System Settings are changed. However, if you now want to get an email when motion or other events are triggered follow these steps:

Event Actions

  1. Under the “Events” tab in the Video Configuration Panel click on “Sensors & Events”
  2. Under your previously set up “Sensor Type” click on the “Event Name” you want to get emails for (If you do not have Sensors & Events set up, click here for more instructions)
  3. Click on the “Notifications” tab
  4. Check “Enable Email Notifications”
    1. Here you will be able to set when you would like to send the email notification and whether you would like to send a JPEG snapshot as well.
  5. If you would like additional people to receive an email notification when motion is detected along with the person already designated in the System settings, you can add their email addresses here separated by a semi-colon ( ; ).
  6. Click “Save Event Actions” once finished
]]> Setting Up Gmail in VC https://viewcommander.com/gmail/ Wed, 07 Dec 2022 21:19:08 +0000 https://viewcommander.com/?p=5138

Using Gmail in ViewCommander

Click Here for a Video Tutorial on Email Notifications (skip to minute 1:55 for Gmail) 

In the System Settings under the “Email” tab, choose “Use a Gmail Account”. Fill out the necessary information. Click here for more information. If you send a “Test Email” and you get the popup show below, you will need to log into your Gmail account to do additional setup. 

1. Log in to your Gmail account and click on the icon in the top right corner

2.  Click “Manage your Google Account”

3. On the left side choose “Security”

4. Select “2-Step Verification”

5. Click “Get Started”

6. Enter your Gmail password

7. Enter a cell phone number that you have access to

8. Enter the code that is texted to you

9. “Turn On” 2-Step Verification

10. Click the back arrow at the top of the page

11. Still under the “Security” section of your account select “App Passwords”

12. Enter your Gmail password

13. From the dropdown box choose “Other (Custom Name)”

14. Enter “ViewCommander” then click “Generate”

15. Highlight and copy the password that is generated

16. Back in ViewCommander Paste this password from Gmail into the  “SMTP Password” field

17. Click on “Test Email” (It should popup indicating an email was successfully sent”

18. Check your inbox for the email from ViewCommander, if you do not see it check your spam folder as well

]]> Turn ViewCommander On as a Service https://viewcommander.com/turn-viewcommander-on-as-a-service/ Fri, 04 Nov 2022 14:04:43 +0000 https://viewcommander.com/?p=4897

Turn ViewCommander On As a Service

**Click HERE for a video tutorial

The service allows ViewCommander to continue running and recording in the background when the application is closed. 

Example: There is a power outage at the office over the weekend and the ViewCommander server goes down. As soon as power is restored and the server turns on, because the service is On, ViewCommander will continue recording and you will be able to access ViewCommander remotely. 

To Turn the Service On:

  1. Open the VCUtility
    • There should be an icon on your desktop 
    • If you do not see an icon it can be found here: C:\Program Files (x86)\IVI

     2.  Click “Install Service” 

 

Once the service is on, when you open ViewCommander, you will get this prompt letting you know the service is switching over to the application:

We recommend closing out of the application and letting ViewCommander run as a Service when you are not at the server. 

]]> Add Presets https://viewcommander.com/add-presets/ Wed, 11 May 2022 16:11:11 +0000 https://viewcommander.com/?p=4809

Presets

OVERVIEW

Creating Presets

  • Click on the “Control Tab”
  • Move your camera to a location you would like to set, for example, “Driveway”.
  • From the Preset Management dropdown choose an empty slot then give it a name. Once you click “Add/Set” you will see it in the “Select a Preset” drop down at the top.
Adding a Preset
"Select a Preset" Drop Down

Note: For some cameras you may need to set the presets in the camera directly. When going directly through the camera itself, to get the presets into ViewCommander click “Update Presets”. Now you will see them in the ”Select a Preset” drop down.

"Presets and Touring"

“Go to Preset after a period of Inactivity”

You can select a preset and choose how much time we want to give before having the camera move back to this preset. This is helpful if multiple people are logging into ViewCommander, moving the camera, and they forget to zoom out or move it back to its original position.

“Preset Touring”

This allows the camera to move periodically to specific locations on a cycle. The wait time is how much time you want at each preset and the “resume” field is how many seconds we want to wait before the camera goes back on the cycle.

Going to a Preset on Motion

Click on the “Event” tab then “Sensors and Events”

Here is where a preset can be added for motion detection. To learn about motion detection, click here

Click “PTZ Custom Controls” tab. This means, for example, if you have a region set for any motion detected in a doorway for ViewCommander to record, you can set the camera to zoom into the door when this is detected. If you have the ProAdvanced model of ViewCommander you can set up to 3 regions of interest.

Going to a Preset at a Specific Time

In Sensors and Events you can also have the camera point to a specific location at a specific time. This can be done by choosing the “Timer-Daily” sensor, setting your time and then the preset.

]]> Find ViewCommander Logs https://viewcommander.com/viewcommander-logs/ Mon, 24 Jan 2022 14:39:23 +0000 https://viewcommander.com/?p=4385

*Updated: 2/2/23

How to Find the ViewCommander Log

What Version are you?  VERSION 14/13/12    VERSION 11/OLDER

If you have Version 14/13/12:

In the Application: 
  1. In the ViewCommander Application click “Options”–> “System Settings” 
  2. Under the “General Tab” you will see “Log File Folder” click here to find the file named “ViewCommanderLog” 
OR 
Click on the last icon in the menu bar: 
 
On the C Drive: 
  • The log files for each month are stored in folders with the following format:
    • C:\ProgramData\ViewCommander\VCLogs\<YEAR>\<MONTH>
      • Example: C:\ProgramData\ViewCommander\VCLogs\2021\12

IF YOU HAVE VERSION 11 and older:

On the C Drive: 
  • C:\ProgramData\ViewCommander 
  • “ViewCommanderLog” 
]]>