Mobile Recorders are specialised video recorders designed for use in vehicles such as cars and trucks.
The voltage input of a mobile recorder is usually between 6V DC and 36V DC. This allows the recorder to be powered by a vehicles DC electrical system which is usually 12V or 24V DC, unlike a regular NVR that is usually powered using 240V in or a 48V DC power supply.
Similar to regular NVRs, you can view live footage, record footage, trigger alarm inputs/outputs, and configure the recorder for remote access (for DMSS, SmartPSS Lite, etc.).
Installing a Hard drive, SD card and/or SIM card
To store recording data/footage, you need to purchase and install a hard drive or SD card.
A SIM card allows for the recorder to connect to the internet over 4G for remote access and GPS tracking without the use of Wi-Fi or a hardwired network.
Installing a Hard drive (HDD)
- On the front of the recorder, press the left side of the front cover to open the flap.
- Use the key that came with the recorder to unlock it.
3. Loosen the 2 screws of the front panel and pull out the HDD cradle.
4. Loosen the 2 screws on the back panel of the HDD cradle.
5. Take the back panel off, then remove the HDD carrier enclosure.
6. Loosen the 2 screws of the HDD holder inside the carrier enclosure and remove it.
7. For each HDD you want to install (up to 2), connect the HDD to the connectors at the back of the HDD holder and screw it in using 4 screws.
8. Reverse the installation order to reassemble the HDD holder, carrier enclosure and cradle.
Installing an SD Card and/or SIM Card
- On the front of the recorder, press the left side of the front cover to open the flap.
- Use the key that came with the recorder to unlock it.
- Loosen the 2 screws of the front panel and pull out the HDD cradle.
- With the HDD cradle removed, you will see the SIM card and SD card slot in the bottom left and right.
- Pull out the slot for the card you want to add, insert the card in to the slot, then push the slot back in.
Installing the Recorder
Connecting to Device Cables
Connecting to Power cables
Warning
- Before connecting the power cable, confirm whether the input voltage is between 6V DC and 36V DC. If it is out of range, it will damage the device.
- Please make sure that the positive and negative poles of the power are connected correctly. If not, the device may be damaged.
- The diameter of the power cable should be more than 1.0mm2.
- When connecting the cables to the device, make sure that the main power switch of the vehicle is turned off and the key to the vehicle is placed in the off state.
Power cable introduction
For the power cable of the device see Figure 1-1.
Connect one end of the power cable to the power port of the device (the left port in the figure) or directly use the power cable from the device. Connect the other end to the vehicle battery (the right port in the figure). The redone with fuse is a positive pole of the power (normal live). The black one is the grounding cable. The orange one is the ACC signal (Key live).
Only some devices with the power cable connected can be directly used, subject to actual installation.
Figure 1-1 Power cable
Obtain Connection Modes of the Main Power Switch
In order to ensure correct cable connection, it is necessary to obtain the connection mode of the main power switch through three methods (is the main power switch connected to the positive or negative pole of the battery?).
- Ask the vehicle manufacturer the connection modes of the main power switch of the vehicle.
- Measure with a multimeter: disconnect the main switch, then measure the voltage between the vehicle body and the positive pole of the vehicle battery. If the voltage is 12V or 24V, it means that the main switch disconnects the positive pole. If the voltage is 0V, then the main switch disconnects the negative pole.
- Visual inspection: whether the switch cable near the vehicle battery is connected to the positive pole or the negative pole.
Connection Operation
The power supply of the vehicle video recorder requires a grounding cable connection, ACC signal and normal live wire.
Step 1: Enable the main power switch on the vehicle, place the key in the OFF state and then measure the normal live electricity of the vehicle. Use a multimeter to measure the voltage on the fuse by switching to the DC voltage range. When the multimeter detects voltage, it measures the normal live electricity on the vehicle. Generally, the voltage is 24V DC for large vehicles and 12V DC for small vehicles. However this is subject to actual data.
Step 2: When the vehicle key is placed at the ACC state or the ON sate, the ACC signal of the vehicle is measured. Use a multimeter to measure the voltage on the fuse by switching to the DC voltage range. When the multimeter detects voltage, remove the car key. if the voltage changes to 0V, it means that the measured signal is ACC on the car.
Step 3: Turn off the main power switch on the vehicle and place the key in the OFF state.
Step 4: Connect the power cable according to the main power switch installation mode.
See Figure 1-2 and Figure 1-3.
Warning
- The positive and negative poles of the battery must be equipped with protective devices such as fuses.
- For vehicles with the main power switch installed on the negative pole of the battery, install the device separately.
Figure 1-2 Vehicle main power switch installed in the positive pole of the vehicle battery.
Figure 1-3 Vehicle main switch installed on the negative pole of the vehicle battery.
Connecting with Alarm Input
When you have the need for an emergency alarm, left turn, right turn, reversing, braking, door opening and closing, and other alarm signals, you need to understand the alarm input connection method.
Alarm Input Introduction
Alarm input supports 2 modes including high level and low electrical level.
- Low level alarm voltage input ranges from 0V DC to 1.5V DC.
- High level alarm voltage input ranges from 4V DC to 36V DC.
Connecting with the Emergency Alarm Button
The emergency alarm button should be connected to the alarm port of the vehicle recorder. See Figure 1-4. The emergency alarm button needs to set Trigger Mode as Low Effective, and Device Type as Normally Open.
Connecting with Other Types of Alarms on the Vehicle
Taking reversing and door signals as an example, introduce the operation of other types of alarms on the vehicle. Reversing and door signals can be connected to the device as alarm input signals.
Receive the reverse alarm signal:
- Vehicles with reversing indicator (R): receive the signal form the reversing indicator. When putting the vehicle in the reverse gear, the line with voltage of +12V or +24V is the reverse alarm signal line.
- Vehicles without a reversing indicator: receive the signal from the reversing clutch. When putting the vehicle in the reverse gear, the line with voltage of +12V or +24V is the reverse alarm signal.
Receive the door alarm signal:
- Vehicles with door indicators: receive the signal from the door indicator. When the door is open, the line with voltage of +12V or +24V is the door alarm signal line.
- Vehicles without door indicators: receive the signal from the door switch (this signal is the high level or low level pulse signal).
For reverse and door alarm connections, see Figure 1-5. Set alarm input 2 for reverse alarm and alarm input 3 for door alarm. Set Trigger Mode as High Effective and Type Mode as Normally Open.
Figure 1-4 Alarm Button Connection Diagram
Figure 1-5 Reverse and door alarm signal connection
Separate Installation
If the main power switch installed on the negative pole of the vehicle battery is disconnected, the electrical appliances on the vehicle will generate a loop through the recorder shell, the vehicle body, and the battery, which can lead to the following problems. Therefore, install the device separately.
- If there are high-power electrical appliances on the vehicle, it can cause the cathode line blowout.
- The vehicle electrical appliances cannot be turned off.
- The vehicle video recorder cannot be turned off.
Separate installation refers to making the insulation between the whole system shell, the negative pole and the vehicle shell, which mainly includes separate installation of recorder and separate installation of device.
Separate installation of Device
Attach the screws to the spacer and then tighten the holder and the device. See Figure 1-6.
Figure 1-6 Separate installation of vehicle video recorder
Separate installation of Recorder
Our company's vehicle camera series have the shell separate from the negative pole of the power, so that there is no need to install the camera separately. If the vehicle is equipped with a camera from other manufacturers, it is required to determine whether to install separately.
Step 1: Verify whether separate installation is needed.
- First, use a multimeter to confirm whether there is a conduction between the camera and negative pole. If there is a conduction, it needs to be installed separately.
Step 2: Separate installation method.
- Install on an insulated decorative plate. The plate is from the vehicle itself.
- The camera installed on an insulating plate, which can be fixed on the vehicle. The insulation plate needs to be made separately.
Installation of Antenna
The device antenna is installed to connect the device to the network and to locate the position of the vehicle.
Installation of Mobile Network Antenna
Warning
- When installing sticking antenna, make sure there is no metal material below the sticking spot.
- The large sucker antenna needs to be attached vertically to the metal. In special, when the material of the adsorption position is not metal, it can be fixed by double-sided 3M adhesive or gluing.
For installation of the mobile network antenna, see Figure 1-7. Flat antennas and large sucker antennas are recommended to be attached vertically and closely to the vehicle windshield (e.g. on the dashboard, under the windshield) or hidden in the dashboard.
Install the mobile network antenna outside the vehicle. See Figure 1-8. Large sucker antenna is attached to the roof of the vehicle, the upper of the trunk, or other positions.
Figure 1-7 Inside installation of Mobile Network Antenna
Figure 1-8 Outside installation of Mobile Network Antenna
Installation of GPS Antenna
At present, the mainstream locating methods include GPS, BeiDou and GLONASS. Positioning antenna includes GPS antenna, BeiDou antenna, and GLONASS antenna respectively. In this document, GPS antenna is used as an example to illustrate steps of locating antennas. The installation process of other locating antenna is identical.
Outside Installation
Step 1: Place the GPS antenna on the left front of the roof. See Figure 1-9. The antenna is magnetically attached to the roof of the vehicle. Glue can be applied to four sides of the antenna to fix more reliably.
To make the sensitivity and accuracy of positioning free of interference, ensure that there are no high-power electrical or electronic interference sources (such as a fan or AC compressor) or obstacles within 1 metre around the GPS antenna.
Step 2: Insert the GPS antenna lead wire into the antenna lead hole on the roof of the vehicle and connect to the GPS antenna port inside the vehicle.
The requirements of the GPS antenna lead hole are as follows:
- The inner radius is at least 10mm
- it must be waterproof.
- Easy to replace and maintain the antenna.
Inside Installation
When limited by waterproof and wiring requirements, the antenna can be installed inside the vehicle. To select the installation place, it is recommended to place the antenna horizontally on the dashboard close to the windshield, and make the GPS cable facing upward to enhance the signal, as shown in Figure 1-10.
Figure 1-9 Outside Installation
Figure 1-10 Inside Installation
Device Setup
Initialising the Recorder
When you login the device for the first time or you want to restore the factory settings, you need to initialise the device. Only after initialisation can you operate and configure your device. This document uses operations from the local interface as an example to introduce the device operation.
Preconditions: The device is connected to the display and the mouse.
Step 1: Plug the device's powerline into a socket. After the device is turned on, the initialisation interface is displayed. See Figure 2-1.
Step 2: Enter the Password, confirm the Password and the Password Hint, and then click Next. The unlock pattern setting interface is displayed. See Figure 2-2.
- To secure your account, it is recommended to keep the password properly and change it regularly.
- The password hint can help you recall the password.
Figure 2-1 Device Initialisation
Figure 2-2 Unlock Pattern
Step 3: Draw and confirm an unlock pattern. If you do not want to configure the unlock patter, click Skip. The password setting interface is displayed. See Figure 2-3.
Step 4: Configure the protection method for the password. If you do not want to set the protection, clear both the Email Address check box and the Security Question check box.
- Select Email Address and enter your email address.
- Select the Security Question check box, select the question and enter the corresponding answer.
Step 5: Click Save.
Figure 2-3 Password protection
Logging into the Device
After the completion of the device initialisation, you can log into the device for configuration. This document takes operations on local interface as an example to introduce the device operation.
Step 1: Right-click on the live view screen, the shortcut menu is then displayed. Then select Main Menu. The system LOGIN interface is displayed. See Figure 3-1.
- If the unlock pattern was set during initialising, the unlock patter login interface is displayed. Then use the unlock pattern to login.
- Clock the symbols to view options such as password hints and password retrieval methods.
Step 2: In the Username list, select a user account, and enter the corresponding password that was set during initialising.
Step 3: Click Ok. The Main Menu interface is displayed. See Figure 4-2.
Figure 3-1 Logging in System
Figure 3-2 Main Menu
Device Operations
Testing the Device Antenna
Verify the installation of the antenna and adjust the antenna position according to the signal intensity.
Testing Mobile Network Antenna
The antenna installation can be verified by the 3G/4G signal intensity. When testing the antenna, you should adjust according to the signal intensity. Generally, the signal intensity shall reach 4 bars or more.
Step 1: Select Main Menu > Network Settings > 3G/4G. The 3G/4G interface is displayed.
Step 2: Select Enable and set 3G/4G parameters.
Step 3: Click Apply.
Step 4: Select the Status tab, and check dialing. The IP address appears at the IP address when dialing successfully.
Figure 4-1 Configuring 3G/4G Settings
Testing the GPS Antenna
Turn off all electrical appliances on the vehicle (such as vehicle audio and video systems, AC, heater, headlights and other high-power devices). Then turn on all the electrical appliances on the vehicle. Test the corresponding satellite signal intensity and locating speed respectively.
The standards for antenna installation are as follows:
- The number of satellites involved in the locating test on an open ground should be greater than 10 and the signal intensity value should be greater than 40.
- When all the appliances are turned on and off, the satellite signal intensity measured are very similar.
If the signal detected is weaker when all electrical appliances are turned on, it indicates that the electrical appliances on the vehicle have interference with the antenna and the antenna needs to be re-located. If the interference still exists after trial of different installation positions, it is recommended to add a shield cover.
The Satellite info interface is displayed below.
Click Main Menu > Status Information > SATELLITE INFO.
Figure 4-2 Satellite Information
Setting Local Alarm
You can configure the trigger mode and linked action for local alarms. When the local alarm is triggered, it outputs the local alarms in the configured way.
Step 1: Click Main Menu > Alarm > Alarm Input > Local
The Local interface is displayed in figure 4-3.
Step 2: In the Alarm Input list, select a channel and then click Enable check box.
Step 3: Set alarm name, trigger mode, device type and set linked actions according to the actual needs.
- Trigger mode includes high effective and low effective. High effective (the alarm signal is 12V/24V voltage), Low effective (the alarm signal is ground signal).
- Device type: normally open and normally closed. If the alarm signal is disconnected under normal circumstances and connected when the alarm is triggered, select Normally Open. If the alarm signal is connected under normal circumstances and disconnected when the alarm is triggered, select Normally Closed.
Step 4: Click Apply
Figure 4-3 Local alarm input
Setting Auto Registration
After successfully auto registered, when the device is connected into the internet, it will report the current location to the specified server to make it easier for the Client software to access the Device, and to preview and monitor is.
Step 1: Select Main Menu > Platform Access > REGISTER. The REGISTER interface is displayed in Figure 4-4.
Step 2: Click Enable to enable auto registration. Set IP address, ports, and sub-device ID for the server.
Step 3: Click Apply.
After successfully connected, “connected” is displayed as the connected status.
Figure 4-5
Setting Plate Number
Set the license plate number of the vehicle and display the corresponding plate number in the preview interface for the convenience of identifying the vehicle.
Step 1: Click Main Menu > SETTING > GENERAL > General. The General interface is displayed in figure 4-5.
Step 2: Select the short name of the region where the vehicle is registered and enter the plate number.
Step 3: Click Apply.
Figure 4-5 General
Resetting Password
You can reset the password through the reserved phone number or by using the security questions when you forget the password for the admin account.
Step 1: Enter the login interface.
- If you configured an unlock pattern, the unlock pattern interface is displayed. Click Forgot Pattern. The password input interface is displayed in figure 4-6.
- If you did not configure an unlock pattern, the password login interface is displayed. figure 4-6.
Step 2: Click the Speech bubble containing a question mark.
- If the reserved Email was set, the interface as shown in figure 4-7
- If no reserved Email was set, set the Email according to system instructions. Click Next shown in figure 4-7.
Figure 4-6 Logging in System
Figure 5-7 Reset Password
Step 3 Click Ok.
- The password reset page is displayed in figure 4-8
Step 4: Reset the login password.
- Reset by QR code. In the Reset Type list, select QR Code and then follow the instructions to get the security code in your reserved phone number. Input the security code into the “Please input the security code” text box.
- You can get the security code twice by scanning the same QR code. If you need to get the security code once again, refresh the screen.
- The security code is valid for 24 hours.
- Security Questions. In the Reset Type list, select Security Question, the security question interface is displayed. In the Answer boxes, enter the correct answers.
Step 5: Click Next. The password reset interface is displayed in figure 5-9.
Figure 5-8 Reset Password
Figure 4.9 Reset Password
Step 6: In the "New Password" box, enter the new password and enter it again in the “Confirm Password” box. The new password can be set from 8 characters through 32 characters and contains at least two types from numbers, letters and special characters (excluding ', ", ;, :, &). Enter a strong password according to the security level indication.
Step 7: Click Save to complete password reset.
Abnormal Problems
When you encounter abnormal problems, troubleshoot according to the methods provided. If the problem still cannot be solved, contact tech support for assistance.
Boot-up Abnormality
After power is on, the device cannot boot up. Troubleshoot by doing the following steps.
Step 1: Check if the PWR is on.
- If the PWR is off, check whether the power supply voltage, ACC voltage and the fuse are ok. A Multimeter can be used to measure the normal live voltage and ACC voltage.
- If there is no problem, proceed to Step 2.
Step 2: Check whether the locker of HDD box/ SD card slot is locked. If the locker is not locked, the device will not boot up. Simply lock it to solve the problem.
Step 3: Check the peripherals malfunction. The host can be disconnected from other peripherals (such as cameras) other than the power cable. The host can be reconnected to see whether it can boot up properly. If it can boot up normally, check the peripherals one by one.
The device is repeatedly restarting. Troubleshoot by doing the following steps.
Step 1: The device has the function of "automatic restart when lacking an HDD/SD card. Please check whether the HDD (or SD card) is installed correctly. If you do not need this function, please select Main Menu > VEHICLE > ABNORMAL to disable this function.
Step 2: HDD malfunction can cause errors while booting. For example, when the ambient temperature is too low, the device will restart repeatedly, possibly due to the false recognition of the HDD. You can install the heater module to solve this problem.
No Video Recorded
There is no video recorded. Troubleshoot by doing the following steps.
Step 1: Check whether HDD (or SD card) can be detected by the device.
- Login to the device to check whether the HDD (or SD card) is in normal status (method: select Main Menu > System Info > HDD Info)
- Re-install the HDD (or SD card) correctly if HDD (or SD card) is not detected. If it is in the Sleep or Severely Damaged state; replace the HDD (or SD card).
Step 2: Check the device log to see if any HDD formatting process was performed on the device.
Step 3: Check the recording status of the device. If the recording status is not Auto Recording, select Auto Recording.
GPS Problems
If GPS cannot locate or drift, troubleshoot by doing the following steps
Step 1: Check if number of satellites involved in GPS locating and signal intensity meet the requirements.
Step 2: Check if GPS antenna is connected to the correct antenna base.
Step 3: If the malfunction is caused by the antenna itself, replace antennas to check.
Step 4: Determine if there is interference with other electrical appliances on the vehicle. Check the GPS signal intensity from the device menu, open the car electrical appliances (such as car audio and video system, car air conditioning, heater, headlamp, intercom and other high-power devices) to see whether the signal intensity value has a significant change. If it is significantly weakening, GPS is affected by other electrical appliances. You can add a GPS antenna shield cover to avoid interference from other electrical appliances.
Network Problems
3G/4G dial failure and the IP address unobtainable. Troubleshoot by doing the following steps.
Step 1: Check if the 3G/4G module is identified by the device. If not, contact the company's technical support.
Step 2: Check if SIM card is identified by the device.
Step 3: Check if 3G/4G module, SIM card and the set network service providers are matched.
Step 4: Confirm that the antenna is installed correctly according to the installation and testing method of the antenna.
Step 5: Check if the SIM card is overdue or the data package exceeds the plan. You can inquire the network service provider over phone.
Step 6: Check if 3G/4G parameters are set correctly. Focus on checking parameters such as APN, authentication mode, user name, and password. You can inquire the corresponding network service provider for VPN parameters.
Fail to connect to DSS platform. Troubleshoot by doing the following steps.
Step 1: Confirm the dialing of 3G/4G, and it is able to ping to the DSS platform server.
Step 2: Check the auto registration parameters: Server address, Ports, and Device ID.
Step 3: Check the platform setup parameters to ensure that the platform parameters are consistent with the device parameters.
Video is stuck after properly connecting to DSS platform. Troubleshoot by doing the following steps.
Step 1: Unstable signal causes video stuck. Check that the antenna is installed properly according to the installation and testing method of the antenna.
Step 2: Sub stream is not checked on the platform, so that the main stream is used on the device. Check the sub stream when the device is added to the platform.
Step 3: Device sub stream parameters are set improperly. Set appropriate stream, frame rate, and other video parameters according to the actual network environment.