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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.