Manuals+

DVR-USB Operating Appendix

To be used with: MS908, Standalone DVR User Guide; CH915, PICS User Manual; CH905, MPlus+ User Manual; MK900, MARK3 User Manual

P/N EC2978-APP, Revision: 03.27.2018

For Firmware Revision 1755

Manufacturer: CUES

Operating the System

DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDER INSTRUCTIONS

Basic Operations:

  1. Press the [MENU/OK] button to display the main menu or select the currently highlighted item, or to select a filename for copying, moving, or deleting when in 'Group' mode selection.
  2. Press the UP and DOWN arrow keys to cycle through the choices in the menu.
  3. Press the [STOP/BACK] button to back out of menus, usually one level at a time. Press the [STOP/BACK] button when done selecting filenames for copying, moving, or deleting when in 'Group' mode selection.
  4. Press the [REC/PAUSE] button to start recording a video.
  5. Press the [SNAPSHOT] button to take a snapshot.
  6. Press the RIGHT and LEFT arrow keys when viewing a video to fast forward or rewind the video. Press the LEFT arrow when done selecting filenames for copying, moving, or deleting when in 'Group' mode selection.

File Naming Conventions

A SHORT DISCUSSION ABOUT FILENAMES

The system automatically provides a name for videos and snapshot files. The name is created as:

YYYYMMDD-xx.ext

Where:

Files are always displayed in reverse alphabetic order.

If there are more than 16 files to be displayed, the 17th entry on the display will be '...'. Selecting '...' will take the operator to the next screen of up to 16 files.

Files may be renamed, but it requires that a USB keyboard be inserted into one of the external USB ports. The procedure for renaming files is described later in this document.

Storage Management

NOTES ON INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL STORAGE

The operator can set the default device for storing videos and snapshots through the Setup Menu. When playing videos, viewing snapshots, moving, copying, or deleting files, the operator first selects the storage device (either internal or external).

WARNING: If using a flash drive not supplied by CUES, it must be formatted with a FAT32 file system. Many newer flash drives, especially those larger than 32GB, do not come formatted to FAT32 (they typically use exFAT).

NOTES ON INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL STORAGE - CONTINUED

If a flash drive with the wrong format is inserted into the external USB drive, the DVR-USB will display an error message 'External Storage Error'. If the operator selects 'System Information' from the 'Setup' menu, it will show 'Unsupported Device' for the external drive.

To format a flash drive to FAT32, refer to the section 'Formatting a flash drive' in this appendix. Note that Firmware Version 1753 or later is required to format a flash drive through the DVR-USB menu.

WARNING: The external flash drive should not be removed while the system is writing to it. The message "Wait until safe to remove ..." will appear on the display when writing to the external flash after the operator has pressed the [STOP/BACK] button. Do not remove the flash until this message has been cleared from the screen.

WARNING: When recording to a particular drive or to both drives simultaneously, if either drive fills up during this process, the recording will stop and an error message 'Storage full or write error' will be displayed. The last few frames recorded may also be lost to free up space needed for indices. However, the stored file will remain viewable.

When a recording begins, the approximate amount of recording time is displayed for the first several seconds. If recording to both the internal and external DVR-USB flash drives simultaneously, the approximate recording time of the DVR-USB device with the least capacity is shown.

The operator can check the amount of free space remaining on any of the drives being used to store data at any time. Refer to the section 'Viewing the amount of space remaining on the flash drives'.

Drive space can be maintained by moving or deleting files. Refer to the following sections in this document:

File Actions

NOTES ON INDIVIDUAL VERSUS GROUP ACTIONS

When copying, moving, or deleting files, there are two modes: Individual and Group. The Individual mode is quicker if the operator only needs to perform a function on a single file. However, if several files need to be operated on, especially when they are to be moved or copied, using the group mode may be beneficial. This is because the list of files can be selected, and then the operation initiated to act upon them. Once the operation begins, the operator can work on something else and not have to wait at the computer while it performs a batch of operations.

Regardless of whether the operation chosen is individual or group, if the operator tries to copy or move a file to a target drive that already has a file of the same name, the operator will be given an opportunity to overwrite the target file.

For an individual copy, move, or delete, the operator can alternately choose to 'cancel' the operation prior to performing it.

In the case of copying or moving a group of files, rather than 'cancel', there will alternately be options to 'overwrite all' and to 'skip'. 'Overwrite all' will ensure that the current and any subsequent files found to exist on the target drive will be overwritten without the operator having to decide separately. 'Skip' can be used to not overwrite the current file that has been found to exist on the target drive, but to continue looking to see if there are other files on the target drive that also may already exist on the source drive.

NOTES ON INDIVIDUAL VERSUS GROUP ACTIONS - CONTINUED

The following are descriptions of many of the selections available in the DVR menus. Note that not all selections will be discussed here, as some settings should not be changed.

Core Functions

PLAYING VIDEO

With no menu displayed, press [MENU/OK]. The top-level menu is displayed.

Menu:

Select 'Play video'. The Play Video Source menu is displayed.

Play Video Source:

Select a source (e.g., 'External'). The Play Video: External menu is displayed.

Play Video: External:

Note that files are shown in reverse alphabetic order.

Select a video to view. The DVR menu will be cleared, and the video will immediately begin playback. When playback finishes, pressing [MENU/OK] will return control to the Play Video: External menu, allowing another video to be selected and viewed.

Press the [STOP/BACK] button once to return to the main menu.

VIEWING SNAPSHOTS

From the top-level menu, select 'View snapshots'.

Menu:

The View Snapshot Source menu is displayed.

View Snapshot Source:

Select a source (e.g., 'External'). The View Snapshot: External menu is displayed.

View Snapshot: External:

Note that files are shown in reverse alphabetic order.

Select a snapshot to view. The DVR menu will be cleared, the snapshot's name will be briefly displayed, and then the snapshot will be displayed. When finished, pressing [MENU/OK] will return control to the View Snapshot: External menu, allowing another snapshot to be selected and viewed.

Press the [STOP/BACK] button once to return to the main menu.

INDIVIDUAL COPYING OR MOVING OF VIDEO OR SNAPSHOTS FROM INTERNAL TO EXTERNAL OR EXTERNAL TO INTERNAL

The following demonstrates copying an individual video from internal to external; other possibilities follow the same pattern.

From the top-level menu, select 'File management'.

Menu:

The File Management menu is displayed.

File Management:

To move a video or snapshot, select 'Toggle Copy or Move'. This changes the first four selections from 'Copy' to 'Move'. Pressing it again reverts the selections back to 'Copy'. Moving deletes the file from the source flash drive after copying.

Select 'Copy video from internal'. The Copy Video from Internal menu is displayed.

Copy Video from Internal:

Note that files are shown in reverse alphabetic order.

Select a video to copy. If it does not exist on the external flash drive, the Copy Video from Internal menu will be removed, and the file will start copying, showing a status message like 'Copying video ... 66.8%'. In a Move operation, the file will be deleted from the source drive upon completion.

When copying completes, the Copy Video from Internal menu is displayed again, allowing another video to be selected and copied.

If the video already exists on the external flash drive, the 'Destination video exists' menu will be displayed.

Destination video exists:

The cursor is positioned on 'Cancel'. To overwrite the file, move the cursor to 'Overwrite' and select it. The file will first be deleted from the external flash, and then copying will commence.

Press the [STOP/BACK] button twice to return to the main menu.

INDIVIDUAL DELETING OF FILES FROM INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL

The following demonstrates deleting an individual file from internal; external follows the same pattern.

From the top-level menu, select 'File management'.

Menu:

The File Management menu is displayed.

File Management:

Select 'Delete files from internal'. The Delete Files from Internal menu will be displayed. Note that it shows both video files (ending in .mp4) and snapshot files (ending in .jpg). Files are listed in reverse alphabetic order.

Delete Files from Internal:

Select the file to delete. The Delete confirm menu will be displayed.

Delete Confirmation:

The cursor will be on the 'Yes' selection. Select 'Yes' to delete the video or snapshot. A message "Deleting ..." will appear on the screen for a few seconds, and then the Delete Files from Internal menu will be displayed, allowing additional videos or snapshots to be deleted.

Press the [STOP/BACK] button twice to return to the main menu.

GROUP COPYING OR MOVING VIDEO OR SNAPSHOTS FROM INTERNAL TO EXTERNAL OR EXTERNAL TO INTERNAL

The following demonstrates copying a group of videos from internal to external; other possibilities follow the same pattern.

From the top-level menu, select 'File management'.

Menu:

The File Management menu is displayed.

File Management:

Select 'Select files'. This changes the mode from 'Individual' to 'Group'.

Select 'Copy Video from Internal'. The Copy Video from Internal menu is displayed. Unlike when copying individual files, a [ ] will appear to the left of each file in the list.

Copy Video from Internal:

Note that files are shown in reverse alphabetic order.

Select the videos to be copied by pressing [MENU/OK] at each filename. An 'x' will be drawn inside the brackets ([x]) to indicate selection. Selecting an already selected filename will unselect it, changing [x] back to [ ].

Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to navigate through the list of filenames. Files can be selected across multiple screens.

Once all desired files are selected, press the [STOP/BACK] button or the LEFT arrow to move to the Files Selected menu:

Files Selected:

'Change Selection' returns the operator to the Copy Video from Internal menu to continue selecting or unselecting files. Previously selected files remain selected.

'Cancel' returns the operator to the File Management menu. Any previously selected files will be unselected the next time the Copy Video from Internal menu is entered.

'Copy files' begins the group copying. The DVR-USB checks the target drive for files with the same names as those being copied, starting alphabetically.

If at least one file with the same name exists, the 'Already Exists' menu is displayed:

Already Exists:

'Overwrite' informs the system that the operator wishes to overwrite this particular file and allows a decision on further existing files.

'Overwrite all' overwrites the current and any subsequent files found on the target drive without requiring separate decisions.

'Skip' leaves the current file untouched and continues searching for other files on the target drive that may already exist on the source drive.

If 'Overwrite' or 'Skip' is selected, the system continues processing target files alphabetically for additional matches. The 'Already Exists' menu is displayed for each match, offering the 'Overwrite', 'Overwrite all', or 'Skip' options.

Once the operator has processed all matching files, or selected 'Overwrite all', or if no matching files were found, the copy operation commences. The time taken depends on the number and size of the files.

Files are copied in reverse alphabetic order. As files are copied, the DVR-USB displays the filename and progress (e.g., 'Copying video ... 66.8%'). In a move operation, files are then deleted from the source drive.

If the operator wishes to cancel the copy operation or not copy selected files, pressing [STOP/BACK] at the 'Already Exists' menu returns to the 'Copy Video from Internal' menu to modify the selection.

Pressing [STOP/BACK] from the 'Files Selected' menu returns to the File Management menu.

When copying completes, the File Management menu is displayed. Press [STOP/BACK] once to return to the main menu.

GROUP DELETING FILES FROM INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL

The following demonstrates deleting a group of files from internal; deleting a group from external follows the same pattern.

From the top-level menu, select 'File management'.

Menu:

The File Management menu is displayed.

File Management:

Select 'Select files'. This changes the mode from 'Individual' to 'Group'.

Select 'Delete Files from Internal'. The Delete Files from Internal menu is displayed. Unlike when deleting individual files, a [ ] appears to the left of each file in the list.

Delete files from internal:

Note that it shows both video files (ending in .mp4) and snapshot files (ending in .jpg). Files are listed in reverse alphabetic order.

Select the videos or snapshots to be deleted by pressing [MENU/OK] at each filename. An 'x' will be drawn inside the brackets ([x]) to indicate selection. Selecting an already selected filename will unselect it, changing [x] back to [ ].

Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to navigate through the list of filenames. If desired, the operator may select files across several screens.

Once the operator has selected all files to be deleted, press the [STOP/BACK] button or LEFT arrow to move to the Files Selected menu:

Files Selected:

'Change Selection' returns the operator to the Delete Files from internal menu to continue selecting or unselecting files for deletion. Previously selected files remain selected.

'Cancel' returns the operator to the File Management menu. Any previously selected files will be unselected the next time the Delete Files from Internal menu is entered.

'Delete files' begins the group deleting. Regardless of the number or size of files chosen, this process is very quick.

The files are deleted in reverse alphabetic order. As files are deleted, the DVR-USB displays the filename being deleted and updates progress (e.g., 'Deleting file ... 66.8%').

When deleting completes, the File Management menu is displayed. Press the [STOP/BACK] button once to return to the main menu.

System Settings

SETTING THE DATE AND TIME

From the top-level menu, select 'Setup'.

Menu:

The Setup menu is displayed.

Setup:

To set the date or time, all fields must be set: year, month, day, hour, minute, and AM/PM.

Date and time appear as YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM AM/PM, although one fewer character is used when the hour is less than 10.

Select 'Set Date/Time ...'. The Set Year menu is displayed.

Set Year:

Select the current year, and the Set Month menu is displayed.

Set Month:

Select the current month, and the Set Day subrange menu is displayed.

Set Day:

Select the desired range of days, and the Set Day menu is displayed.

Set Day:

Select the current day, and the Set Hour menu is displayed.

Set Hour:

Select the current hour, and the Set Minute subrange menu is displayed.

Set Minute:

Select the desired subrange, and the Set Minute menu is displayed.

Set Minute:

Select the current minute, and the Set AM/PM menu is displayed.

Set AM/PM:

Select the current AM/PM. The new date and time will be set, and the operator will be returned to the Setup menu, showing the new date and time.

Setup:

Press the [STOP/BACK] button once to return to the main menu.

SETTING THE RECORD STORAGE DEVICE

From the top-level menu, select 'Setup'.

Menu:

The Setup menu is displayed.

Setup:

Select 'Record Storage Device : Internal' (it may be set to something else).

The Setup Recording Storage menu is displayed.

Setup Recording Storage:

Select the desired Recording Storage. In the example shown, 'External' is chosen. The menu changes back to the Setup menu, indicating the change.

Setup:

If the Record Storage Device is set to 'Prompt', any time the operator presses the [Record] or [Snapshot] button, they will first be presented with the Recording Storage Device menu.

Recording Storage Device:

The operator selects one of these three options, and the snapshot or video proceeds, storing to the selected device or devices.

CHANGING THE FAST FORWARD AND FAST REWIND VIDEO TIME

From the top-level menu, select 'Setup'.

Menu:

The Setup menu is displayed.

Setup:

Select 'Video', and the Setup Video menu is displayed.

Setup Video:

Select 'Playback Seek', and the Playback Seek Amount [seconds] menu is displayed.

Playback Seek Amount (seconds):

Select the number of seconds the fast forward and fast rewind buttons should move the video with each press. In this example, it is set to 20.

Selecting 'Continuous' enables a mode where pressing the RIGHT ARROW or LEFT ARROW button continuously fast forwards or rewinds until a second press of the same button returns it to normal speed. This setting is useful for quickly navigating through very large video files.

The menu changes back to Setup Video, showing the updated value.

Setup Video:

Press the [STOP/BACK] button twice to return to the main menu.

VIEWING THE AMOUNT OF SPACE REMAINING ON THE FLASH DRIVES

From the top-level menu, select 'Setup'.

Menu:

The Setup menu is displayed.

Setup:

Select 'System Information', and the System Information menu is displayed.

System Information:

The last two lines show the amount of available space on the internal and external drives.

Press the [STOP/BACK] button twice to return to the main menu.

RENAMING A VIDEO OR SNAPSHOT FILE

Plug a USB keyboard into one of the two external USB ports. For all operations in this section, use the USB keyboard. It should have UP and DOWN arrow keys for navigating menus. Use the <ENTER> key on the USB keyboard to make a selection or bring up the top-level menu. Use the <ESC> key to move back a menu.

From the top-level menu, select 'File management'.

Menu:

The File Management menu is displayed.

File Management:

Note that two selections are now available: 'Rename files from internal' and 'Rename files from external'.

If there is no flash drive in an external USB port, selections containing the word 'external' will not be shown, nor will selections like 'Copy' or 'Toggle Copy or Move'.

Select 'Rename files from internal'. The Rename file on Internal menu is displayed.

Rename files from Internal:

Select the file to be renamed. The 'Please enter filename' menu is displayed.

Please enter filename:

A flashing '|' cursor appears after the file extension (.mp4 or .jpg). Use the backspace key and alphanumeric keys on the USB keyboard to rename the file. The extension need not be added but can be.

Press <ENTER> on the USB keyboard once the new name is entered. The 'Rename files on Internal' menu redisplays with the new name. Depending on the name provided, it may be listed in a different position or not appear if it violates the reverse alphabetical order. Filenames can be up to 40 characters, but CUES recommends against this, as the list displays a maximum of 32 characters per line, which can truncate the file size display. Realistically, about 18 characters before the extension fit well.

Rename files from Internal:

Press the [ESC] button on the USB keyboard twice to return to the main menu. Unplug the USB keyboard when finished renaming.

FORMATTING A FLASH DRIVE

From the top-level menu, select 'Setup'.

Menu:

The Setup menu is displayed.

Setup:

Select 'System Information', and the System Information menu is displayed.

System Information:

Select 'External: Unsupported Format', and the Format External menu is displayed.

Format External:

The default for this menu is 'No'. If certain it is okay to format this flash drive, move the cursor to 'Yes' and select it. Everything on the flash drive will be erased. A message will be displayed while formatting:

Formatting External, please wait ...

Once formatting completes, a message "External Storage Inserted" will appear, and the screen will show the new flash drive:

System Information:

AUDIO PASS-THROUGH

The system defaults to passing through audio, meaning audio input through the microphone/handheld will also come out the speaker, including during recording. This can be changed through the Setup Audio menu, available by selecting 'Audio' from the 'Setup' menu.

The Setup Audio Menu:

Setup Audio:

DVR-USB FYI (Frequently Asked Questions)

  1. What is the DVR-USB?
    The DVR-USB is a digital video recorder (DVR) that records and plays back video directly to up to two USB flash drives.
  2. Can I take still images with the DVR-USB?
    Yes.
  3. Can I take still images while recording?
    Yes.
  4. Can I playback still images while recording?
    No.
  5. What is the minimum recording allowed?
    There is no minimum.
  6. Can I record audio?
    Yes. The specifics of turning on the microphone and whether there is a visual cue of the microphone are described in the specific product manual.
  7. Does the DVR-USB have a hard drive?
    No. The video/audio processing is 100% solid state with video/audio files saved to up to two different USB flash drives.
  8. How do I access the USB flash?
    The external USB flash is inserted and removed through a slot in the product's control unit. A second, internal USB flash is permanently inside the product's control unit.
  9. What are the recording times on the different mode settings?
    Approximately 12 hours of high-definition video may be stored on the 16GB external USB flash drive.
  10. Can the files stored in the product's flash drives be accessed directly with a PC?
    No. The external USB flash drive may be removed from the product and inserted into a USB slot on a PC in order to copy files off of it.
  11. What is required to view the videos on my office computer?
    The files are in .mp4 format and can be viewed with most any standard media player.
  12. What happens if I remove the external USB flash drive while the DVR-USB is recording?
    Loss of files can result. Warning: While recording, do not remove the external USB flash drive from the DVR-USB or power the unit down.
  13. How are the video files named?
    The recordings are stored in the DCIM directory located in the root of the USB flash drive. If this directory does not yet exist on the USB flash drive, it will be automatically created when the card is first installed in the DVR. The snapshot files are named as follows:
    YYYYMMDD-xx.jpg
    where xx is the number of the snapshots taken on that given day, 00 being the first, 01 being the second, etc.
    The video files are named:
    YYYYMMDD-xx.mp4
    where xx is the number of the video taken on that given day, 00 being the first, 01 being the second, etc.
    If more than 100 videos are recorded or snapshots taken, there will be 3 digits used, e.g., 109.
  14. How do I keep the USB flash drive from filling up?
    It is recommended that the video files are moved to an office PC to a named directory on that computer each time the USB flash drive is emptied. In Windows, create a directory, for example: 'Main Street Inspections'. Move the files from the USB flash drive to this directory. Each time videos are moved from the USB flash drive, a new directory should be created for that inspection, place, date, etc.

Record of Revisions

This Record of Revision page is designed to allow the manual user to determine the engineering/manufacturing level to which the manual is written. As engineering changes to this hardware are made at CUES, necessary information in the manual will be revised to reflect those changes. The latest change level and the rationale for any change(s) will be explained in tabular format on this page to allow the manual user to be better equipped should the need arise to call CUES regarding technical information.

ORIGINAL MANUALREVISIONCHANGE DESCRIPTION
EC2978-APP01.20.2018Initial preliminary release
02.22.2018Bugs were fixed and features were added to the Sensoray DVR; appendix required updating to reflect these changes.
03.07.2018Internal and external storage instructions were modified.
03.27.2018Numerous procedural additions/changes made due to DVR-USB firmware upgrade.

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