Skip to main content

DW Spectrum - Installing DW Spectrum for Macintosh

Updated

Installing DW Spectrum (Macintosh)

-----------------------------------

Affected Roles: Power User, Power Users

Related Digital Watchdog VMS Apps: DW Spectrum Professional

Last Edit: February 6, 2026

-----------------------------------

 

Creating A New Site

DW Spectrum is composed of two parts:

  • DW Spectrum Media Server – the Media Server is Spectrum. The media server is responsible for the recording, contains the database information of your added cameras and user profiles, and is arguably the most important aspect of the DW Spectrum Professional platform. The Media Server is supposed to be installed on a computer that will be acting as your server. If you have a DW Blackjack server, this software is already installed.
  • DW Spectrum Client – the Client software provides a graphical interface with which users can interact with the Media Server. Some features include allowing users to configure settings, view live and recorded video, and manage device connections. The Client is helpful for accessing the Media Server but is not required to remain running for the Media Server to do its job. Instead, it is recommended that users install the DW Spectrum Client software on a separate computer from the DW Spectrum Media Server computer to save on processing.

To ensure the best possible experience and to keep your systems secure and stable, we strongly recommend using a supported operating system. For a list of supported operating systems by DW Spectrum, check out DW Spectrum – Supported Operating Systems and Mobile Versions.

 

**NOTE: DW Spectrum for Macintosh is for the Client only. A computer with either a Windows OS or an Ubuntu OS will be required to create a Server.

 

Installing DW Spectrum on Macintosh

To install DW Spectrum on Macintosh:

  1. To obtain the installation files for DW Spectrum, open a web browser and visit the DW Spectrum Professional product page on the Digital Watchdog website.
  2. Click on the Software tab and select “DW Spectrum Professional Latest Software”.

 

  1. Your web browser will be routed to the DW Cloud Downloads webpage.

    Select the Windows tab and download the needed installation package for your system.

  • Client Installer – download the installation package for the desktop client software component; used for system viewing and management.

 

  1. Open the downloaded .DMG file, then drag the DW Spectrum application into your Applications folder.

    Allow the process to run and complete the installation. When finished, you can begin to set up the Site.

 

Creating a New Site

The Macintosh computer must be able to connect with a Windows or Ubuntu computer that is hosting the DW Spectrum Server software component to create a new system. To do so:

  1. Launch the application.

    Open the Applications folder, then double-click on the DW Spectrum Client application.

  2. If your computer is on the same LAN as a pre-existing Server, the DW Spectrum Client application may automatically detect it. If so, click on the tile.

    You will be prompted to enter your login credentials (User ID and Password). Contact the Site Administrator or Power User of the Server if you need a login to be created.

 

**NOTE: DW Spectrum for Macintosh is for the Client only. A computer with either a Windows OS or an Ubuntu OS will be required to create a Server.
 

  1. If this is a first-time setup of DW Spectrum Client, click the Add to Existing Site button.

    You will then be prompted to enter the Connection Options to connect with the DW Spectrum Server.

  • Host – enter the IP Address of the DW Spectrum Server.
  • Port – enter the TCP port of the DW Spectrum Server (default: 7001).
  • Login – enter the login ID of your DW Spectrum user profile.
  • Password – enter the login password of your DW Spectrum user profile.

 

  1. Once you have entered the connection information, click the OK button to connect with the DW Spectrum Site.

 

Changing the Admin Password

To change the Admin password of a Server:

  1. Launch DW Spectrum and connect with the Site. You must have Power User privileges to make system changes.

    Right-click on the Site (house icon) and select Open Web Client.

 

  1. A browser will open and connect with the Site.

    Enter the Administrator ID (Admin) and the Password to log in.

 

**NOTE: Another way to access this web client is to enter the Server’s IP address and port to connect through a web browser.

 

  1. After logging into the Site Web Client, open the Settings tab then open the Users menu.

    Select the admin (Administrator) profile and click the Change Password button.

    Enter the current admin password and new admin password for the system then click the Save button.

 

It is recommended to keep track of your password. If the Admin password is forgotten, a password reset form must be submitted for all Blackjack Series units.

If the DW Spectrum Server is installed on a custom-built server (not a Blackjack Series NVR), a clean reinstallation of the DW Spectrum Server will be required to reset a forgotten password.

To learn how to completely uninstall DW Spectrum, check out DW Spectrum - Clean Uninstall Spectrum (WinOS & Ubuntu).

 

Changing the Site Name

To change the Site name, select the Site Administration tab and open the General menu.

Click the edit icon beside the current system name and enter the new name of the Site, then click the Save button to rename the Site.

​

 

 

______________________________________________________________________________

For More Information or Technical Support

DW Technical Support: https://www.digital-watchdog.com/contact-tech-support/

DW Sales: sales@digital-watchdog.com | www.digital-watchdog.com

Copyright © All rights reserved. Specifications and pricing subject to change without notice.                                     

Related to

Related articles