How to Add a DW Compressor to DW Spectrum IPVMS

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Affected Roles: Administrator

Related Digital Watchdog VMS Apps: DW Spectrum® IPVMS

Complexity: Low

Software Version: DW Spectrum v5.0

Last Edit: August 7, 2024

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Compressor Communication

The DW Compressor (DW-ENHD16) is an analog to IP video encoder that uses H.264 network compression to translate the video signal between an analog camera and IP video recorders within a local network.

This can be useful for server administrators and system owners who want to create a mid-point in the process of changing over from using an analog camera system to an IP camera system, rather than needing to change out all the equipment at once.

This article will outline how to add a DW Compressor to a DW Spectrum Server using the automatic Device Discovery feature and how to add the device manually.

DISCLAIMER – Possible Device Identification Issues

When adding a DW Compressor to a DW Spectrum Server, the device may show that it was added to the DW Spectrum Server as a VMAX recorder model. A common cause of this issue is how the Server identifies the Compressor when the device is automatically or manually to DW Spectrum.

This guide will explain how to add a DW Compressor to DW Spectrum using the Auto Discovery feature and how to re-add the Compressor manually.

Supported/Affected Devices

DW Compressor™ Series
- DW-ENC4K16
- DW-ENHD16 [discontinue]
- DW-EN4K16 [discontinued]
- DW-CPUHD16 [discontinued]
- DW-CP16 [discontinued]
- DW-CP04 [discontinued]

Adding with Auto Discovery

To add a DW Compressor to a DW Spectrum Server using Auto Discovery:

Launch the DW Spectrum IPVMS Client and log into the Server as the Owner user or as an Administrator user.

Open the System Administration (CTRL+ALT+A) menu.

In the General tab, locate the System Settings section.

Enable (check ü) the Auto Discovery setting that says, “Enable devices and servers autodiscovery and automated device status check” setting.

Click the Apply button to save the changes.

If the DW Compressor Appears as a VMAX Device…

If the DW Compressor displays as a VMAX standalone recorder:

Remove the DW Compressor from the registered devices list.

Right-click on the device in the Resources List and select “Delete” to remove it from the Server.

Allow the Server a moment to automatically re-discover and re-add the DW Compressor. The device should display correctly.

If an authorization issue (red lock icon) displays for the DW Compressor after re-adding it to the Server, right-click on the locked device in the Resources List and select “Camera Settings.”

Locate the Authentication area and click the Edit Credentials button.

Ensure that the Login and Password matches the User ID and Password used to log in to the DW Compressor itself.

Click the Apply button to save the changes. If the authorization issue persists, you can restart the DW Spectrum Client application to refresh the authorization request.

DW Spectrum should now identify the Compressor correctly and allow users to monitor video streams from the analog cameras.

**NOTE: You must apply [Analog Encoder] Recording Licenses to the Compressor’s cameras to enable video recording to the DW Spectrum Server.

Adding Manually

In some instances, the Owner may want to keep the Auto Discover feature disabled for their Server. In such cases, the DW Compressor will need to be added manually.

To add a DW Compressor to DW Spectrum manually:

Launch the DW Spectrum IPVMS Client and log into the Server as the Owner user or as an Administrator user.

Right-click on the Server in the Resources List and select Add Device.

Use the Add Devices menu to search the local network (LAN) for the DW Compressor.
- Known Address – manually enter the information to search for the device.

Address – if you know the IP address of the DW compressor, enter it into the Address field.
Port – enter the TCP/IP port of the DW Compressor. If the port value has not been changed from the default (Port 80) enable the “Default” checkbox.
Login/Password – enter the User ID and Password used to log in to the DW Compressor.
Search – click the “Search” button to begin the device search.

- Subnet Scan – scan through a set of IP addresses while searching for the device.
Start/End IP – enter the first and last IP address for the Server to scan through. By default, addresses 0~255 of the same subnet is suggested to scan the entire network
Port – enter the TCP/IP port of the DW Compressor. If the port value has not been changed from the default (Port 80) enable the “Default” checkbox.
Login/Password – enter the User ID and Password used to log in to the DW Compressor.
Scan – click the “Scan” button to begin the subnet scan.

Once the Server has discovered the DW Compressor and its cameras, select the DW Compressor and all its video channels.

Add all devices.

DW Spectrum should now identify the DW Compressor correctly and allow users to monitor video streams from the analog cameras.

If you are unable to view the cameras after manually re-adding the Compressor, restart the DW Spectrum Client.

**NOTE: You must apply [Analog Encoder] Recording Licenses to the Compressor’s cameras to enable video recording to the DW Spectrum Server.

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For More Information or Technical Support

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