20  Alarm

Connect external alarm or sensor devices (not included) to the NVR and configure how the system will respond. An external alarm can help to alert of potential intruders while also letting intruders know that they have been spotted.

20.1  Wiring the External Alarm to an Alarm Block

You can connect external alarm input and alarm output devices to the system (i.e. motion sensors and glass break detectors). Use a motion detector or sensor to send a signal to the system to begin recording and trigger an alarm response. Simultaneously, the system sends an output signal to the enabled alarm output device.
    To connect an external alarm/sensor to the recorder:
  1. The slots that the block fits into will be labeled with various codes - NO1, C1, ⏚(Ground). Connect the positive end (+) of the alarm input device to the alarm block port (ALARM IN 1–4) on the rear panel of the NVR.
  2. Connect the negative end (-) of the alarm input device to the ground end on the alarm block port (icon ). Make sure the leads are secured to the connector and there is no excess wire protruding from the connector that may cause a short.
    Graphic
  3. Use the Local Alarm menu to configure the alarm input devices. For more details, see 20.2 Configuring Local Alarm .

20.2  Configuring Local Alarm

After connecting alarm input devices to the recorder navigate to the local alarm settings to enable and adjust preferences.
    To configure the Local Alarm settings:
  1. From the Live View display, right-click to open the Quick Menu, then click Main Menu.
  2. Click Events, then Event Settings. Click the Local Alarm tab from the side panel.
    Graphic
  3. Under Alarm In select the connected alarm port that you would like to configure, or select All.
  4. Click to enable the connected alarm.
  5. Under Alarm Name write in the name that you want to associate with the alarm.
  6. Under Device Type select either NO (Normally Open) or NC (Normally Closed). You will need to check your alarm device’s documentation to learn the correct value to use. It refers to the way the alarm device tells the NVR when it has detected something. If this is set to the wrong value, you will get constant false alarms.
  7. Click Set next to Schedule to set a weekly schedule for the external alarm devices.
    Graphic
    • Click or click-and-drag along each of the red timelines to quickly add or remove time from each day’s schedule in 30–minute segments.
    • Click icon beside 2 or more days to link schedules (icon ). This allows you to quickly change multiple schedules at once.
    • To make fine adjustments to a schedule, click icon . This will allow you to set exact start and end times for a schedule.
    • Click OK when finished.
  8. Choose how the system will react when the alarm device is triggered:
    Graphic
    • Alarm Out: Select the external alarm output devices that will be activated when motion is detected. Set the length of time the alarm output device will be activated for following a motion detection event in the Latch field.
    • Show Message: Check to enable an on-screen pop-up when motion is detected. On-screen pop-up shows the channels an event occurred on and the type of event.
    • Send Email: Check to enable email alerts. You must configure email alerts before you will be able to receive them (see 23.6.6 Configuring Email Alerts ).
    • Record Channel: Select the channels that will record when motion is detected on the selected channel. Set the length of recording following a video loss event in the Post_REC field.
    • Anti-dither: After an initial motion event, the system will continue to record video if a second motion event occurs within the set Anti-dither period.
    • PTZ Activation: Set connected PTZ cameras to start a tour, pattern, or go to a preset location.
    • Sequence: Sequence mode will begin. Select the numbered tiles next to this option to include the corresponding channels in the sequence.
    • Snapshot: Select the numbered tiles next to this option to save a snapshot of the corresponding channels.
    • Buzzer: Check to enable the system buzzer.
  9. Click Apply to save changes.

20.3  Setting the Alarm Output

Control the operation of external alarm output devices (not included) that are connected to the alarm block.
    To set the Alarm Output:
  1. From the Live View display, right-click to open the Quick Menu, then click Main Menu.
  2. Click Events, then Event Settings. Click the Alarm Output tab from the side panel.
    Graphic
  3. Under Alarm Type, select Auto for the alarm number that the external alarm/siren is wired into. You can also use the following options:
    • Auto: By default the alarm type is set to auto. When the alarm type is on auto, the enabled external alarm output devices can only be used when triggered.
    • Manual: Select to override any configurations and engage the external alarm output device. 
    • Stop: Select to turn off the external alarm output device.
    • Status: Select to display the external alarm output device’s alarm type status.
    • Alarm Release: Click OK to clear all external alarm output device statuses.
  4. Click Apply to save changes.