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Configure Computer
To use a computer to do video monitoring it is good that the computer runs
all the time. The following are some recommendations on how to setup your
computer for this task.
Generally one wants to avoid the operating system from suspending or putting
an application to sleep.
- Turn Windows Power Saving Off e.g. under Control Panel, Power Options.
Power Schemes = Always On, Turn Off Monitor = Never, Turn Off Hard Disk =
Never, System Standby = Never. No Hibernate.
- Under Control Panel - Display Properties - Screen Saver = None. Use power
button switch on your monitor on/off instead.
- Avoid setting operating system from automatically logging user off, and
closing running applications. Or when the computer starts-up it does not ask
you for a logon screen - only have one user set on the computer, or modify
registry for auto logon - search www.microsoft.com
for auto logon.
- in BIOS set computer to startup on application of power e.g. disable
having to press the power button to start the computer.
- Have the Video Surveillance WebCam Software startup whenever your computer starts up. Make a shortcut of
Monitor.exe in folder c:\monitor\program\monitor.exe. Copy the shortcut to
the Window's Startup folder so program runs at computer startup.
- also in case you forgot to set something up while your away, configure
your computer with Windows Remote Administration or use NetMeeting for
remote desktop sharing so you can administer your computer or parts of the Video Surveillance WebCam Software
if you have too - highly recommended for a new user
Be aware of conditions under which Video Monitoring and Capture can stop.
- Make sure there is enough disk space and set the Maximum Number of Files
you going to be adequate for the disk space available. Have at least 1 Giga
Byte of hard disk space and set Number of Files to about 20 to start. Keep
Frames Per File to about 2000-3000 to start. And use a good Compressor e.g.
MS MPEG-4 V1. If the program runs out of disk space it will stop capturing
video to disk.
- If set, program can pop-up error messages for user, can stop the program
until cleared by user. After one has configured the program and learned how
to use it, then one can disable pop-up error messages so they are just
written to file instead - Show Errors in
Message Box.
- Make sure there is constant lighting for the cameras. Remember a camera is
like the human eye, it needs light to see. If the lights go out the camera
will not be able to detect motion, and hence record.
Operating Tips
- Keep file sizes small, so if there is a power failure less history is
lost. Consider file sizes of 1000 to 2000 frames/file. Also smaller file
sizes take less time to transmit and download across the internet when doing
remote review.
- All computers should to be re-booted at least once a week or more for best
operation.
- Avoid cluttering up the computer which is running the video monitoring
application with wild programs so as not to interfere with the integrity of
the monitoring function. Try to have a reasonably stable operating system
state to start with when installing the video monitoring application - new
operating system installs are best and most stable.
- Run the program for about 1 week, learn how it works, how to configure it
for your needs, before cutting it over to do work for you.
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