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The Network Client is used to view live or recorded video from Analog or IP cameras. With the client you can view cameras from multiple servers side by side on the same screen. The following are common questions we receive about the Network Client. If you have any other issues, please contact technical support.

Common Support Questions:

• How do I install the Network Client?
• Can I use the Network Client on Windows NT?
• The Network Client can't find SQL Server
• What ports need to be open?
• Why is only half of the screen is being displayed?
• How come I can see live video but no recorded files?
• Why does the Network Client crash when trying to play recorded video?
• I can't see any recorded video?
• How do I turn on User Security?
• How do I connect to Multiple SQL Servers?
• How do I use the Network Client with local and external IP addresses?
• Why do I see more than one server listed on the left navigation?
• Why do I see recorded files but only black boxes?
• Why can't I see live video?
• What if the servers IP address changes?

Installing the Network Client

Using the Video Insight CD, click on "Install Network Client". (It is not necessary to load the Network Client on the Video Server to view live or recorded files)

During setup of the Client, you will be asked to specify the location of the "Database Server". You will need to enter the IP address, or URL, of the Video Insight Server as follows:

• Database Name: Insight
• IP Address: [your server's IP or URL]
• SQL Server User ID: sa

If you have multiple servers, you only need to point to the first server. All of the information for the other servers is stored in the database. Please consult the Full User Manual for more detail.

Can I use the Network Client on Windows NT?

No, even though Microsoft has a .NET update for Windows NT, the Network Client will not work properly.

Network Client can not locate the SQL Server

After you have installed the software and double click on the Network Client icon, you get a message that says the system can not locate the SQL Server:

1. Ensure the Video Insight Server is running
2. Ensure the Database IP address is correct by going to Tools/Setup/Database and verify the correct IP address.
3. If you are using a local firewall, make sure ports 4000, 1433 and 11111 are open.
4. If you are using Microsoft Windows Service Pack 2, the firewall is automatically turned on.
5. If you are using Windows 2000, you might already have an ODBC entry for SQL that is interfering with the SQL communication. Try loading the SQL server on this local system, test the Network Client, and assuming its running, remove SQL Server from this local machine.

Ports Required:

In most networks you have access to all IP ports, however if you have internal firewall's, you need to ensure that you can access the following ports:

• Video Stream: 4000
• SQL: 1433
• PTZ Control: 11111

Only half of the screen is being displayed

If you are only seeing half of the screen, you may need to change the port number used to stream video from 4000 to 8080.

To change the port number on the server, go to Tools/ Server/ Setup/ General:

I see live video but no recorded files

If you are able to see live video, but the left tree navigation does not expand to show recorded video you are most likely in Multiple Database Mode. You will need to switch to Single Database Mode. To switch to Single Database Mode, go to Setup/ Network Client/ Database/ Single Database and check the option for "Use Single Database Mode" and restart the Network Client.

Network Client crashed when attempting to play recorded video

If you can see the file, try playing it with Windows Media Player. If you can play the video, then this means that you have a space in your data path. On the server, go to Tools/ Server/ Data Path and create a new data path that does not contain any spaces.

Can't see recorded video

For the Network Client to play recorded files, the remote system will need access to the Video Insights shared folder that is automatically created during setup of the Server. If you do not have sufficient permissions, you will see the following Left Tree Navigation. Notice there are no files under the folders. You will need to enable Windows File Sharing

The easiest way to share files is to have both the Server and Client be members of the same Windows Domain. Domain members have trusted relationships and will automatically be able to see each others files. If you do not have a domain, the following will help you add the appropriate permissions.

If both the Server and Client are running on Windows XP:

1. Create a user account password on the Server and the client system.
   • Go to the Control Panel, User Accounts and select "Create a password". Windows has a new rule that mandates a user accounts must have a password to share files.
2. Disable "Simple File Sharing"
   • Go to My Computer
   • Under the Tools menu, go to Folder Options
   • From the View tab, go to the very bottom
   • Uncheck the "Use Simple File Sharing (Recommended)"
3. Restart the Network Client. If you do not see files, continue.
4. Manually map a drive to the shared video folder.
   • Go to My Computer
   • Under the Tools menu select Map Network Drive
   • Using the following syntax: \\yourvideoserveripaddress\vi (put your servers IP address). The "vi" in this example is the name of our default data directory
   • Click the "Reconnect at Logon"
   • Click the "Connect using a different user name"
   • Enter the Windows username and password of an account on the server
   • Click the Finish. You should see a window pop up with the recorded video folders.
5. Restart the Network Client. If you do not see files, continue.
6. Grant explicit permissions for the Network Client computer on the Video Share.

If the Server is Windows 2000 and the Client is running on Windows XP:

1. Enable the guest account on the Windows 2000 box (This should only be done if the system is isolated from the Internet)
2. Grant explicit permissions for the Network Client computer on the Video Share.
3. Manually map a drive to the shared video folder.

Enabling Network Client Security

From the Tools/Security/Setup menu on the Video Insight Server, you can "Enable Network Client" security to prevent unauthorized users from accessing live or recorded video. Using the Tools/Security/User Manager menu you can grant permissions to each user on a camera by camera basis.

Connecting to Multiple SQL Database

Video Insight can be configured using a single SQL database or multiple databases. Using the "Advanced" button the Network Client Database configuration menu you can enter each of your servers IP address.

By clicking on the Advanced button, you enter each of your servers in the following menu. When you restart the Network Client, the system will connect to each server and combine the cameras to create a Left Navigation Tree.

Using the Network Client with local and external IP addresses

To access a Video Server using the Network Client via a local network and at the same time from an external IP, you need to configure the Video Server with the external IP number.

On the Video Server, under the Tools/Server/Advanced menu, enter your external IP address into the "External IP" box.

Then on the Network Client, under the Tools/Server menu, select the "Use External IP" box.

Why do I see more than on server listed on the left navigation?

Go the server setup page. There will be a drop box to select which server you wish to change settings on. Select any nonexistent servers, and uncheck the box labeled "active". Then restart the network client.

Why do I see recorded files but only black boxes?

Make sure you are running the latest version of Microsoft's DirectX. If that does not solve the problem, lower the hardware acceleration on the machine.

Why can't I see live video?

Make sure you are using the latest version of Microsoft's DirectX, and that the client is connecting to the server. Make sure the server software is running.

What if the servers IP address changes?

From the Tools, Server, Setup, change the IP address listed to match the IP address on the network card.