GV-Cloud VMS is suitable for businesses of all sizes. The cloud solution is easily scalable to meet the increasing need for more cameras and storage capacity. User and camera permissions can be grouped to align with the structure of a corporation. Overall, the cloud solution streamlines video surveillance while increasing infrastructure flexibility and scalability.

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GV-Cloud VMS is a cloud-based video surveillance and data center solution. Thousands of on-site cameras, alarm devices, motion triggers and AI events can be efficiently monitored from a single cloud-powered platform. With GV-Cloud VMS, you can effortlessly access live streams, review playbacks, and query events from anywhere using a web browser.

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GV-Cloud VMS is suitable for businesses of all sizes. The cloud solution is easily scalable to meet the increasing need for more cameras and storage capacity. User and camera permissions can be grouped to align with the structure of a corporation. Overall, the cloud solution can streamline video surveillance while increasing infrastructure flexibility and scalability.

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Local Devices

Cloud Features

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GV-Cloud Bridge for

ONVIF and GV-IP cameras

GV-VMS

Live View

Event Snapshot

Cloud Backup

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GV-Cloud Camera

GV-AI Guard

GV-Cloud VMS (cloud-based SW)

Local Playback

System Health

Share Link

Archive

Mobile App

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The following browsers are compatible with GV-Cloud VMS.

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Note: The WS player is not supported by Safari.

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GV-Cloud VMS has the following types of licenses. For details, please contact our sales representatives.

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Chapter 2 Getting Started

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To get started, you must acquire a GV-Cloud VMS license and a series number from GeoVision.

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IMPORTANT: Keep your account ID number, which is required each time you log into GV- Cloud.

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.Note: The mobile phone number can be used for the two-factor authentication if needed. See 5.3 Two-Factor Authentication.

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For first-time users, you need to add a license to start the services.

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You must create a Host for each GV-VMS, GV-AI Guard, or GV-Cloud Bridge that you want to connect to. To create a host on GV-Cloud VMS, follow the steps below.

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1.Select Hosts in the left menu, and click  at the top right. This dialog box appears.

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The message “Host has been added” will be displayed. Keep the Host Code and Password

for configuring the connection to GV-Cloud on the host.

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Note: To reset the password, select a host in the Hosts list, and click the Edit Info icon next to the Info tab. See [Info], 4.1 Hosts.

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Follow the steps below to connect GV-VMS or GV-AI Guard to GV-Cloud VMS for cloud central monitoring.

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Note: The support for GV-AI Guard is coming soon.

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In GV-VMS / GV-AI Guard:

1.Click Home > Toolbar > Network > Connect to GV-Cloud. A dialog box appears.

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In GV-Cloud VMS:

When the GV-Cloud VMS connection is established, the host will be displayed, with a yellow icon or a green icon , on the GV-Cloud VMS Home page.

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Without a license, you can view live streaming from the host.

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By adding a license, you can receive snapshots or back up video to GV-Cloud VMS. For details, see 2.2 Adding Licenses.

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Note:

1.If the GV-Cloud VMS connection fails in GV-VMS / GV-AI Guard, check to see if

WebCam Server and Mobile Service are enabled alongside Connect to GV-Cloud.

2.The yellow icon indicates that some of the host’s cameras are disconnected, while the green icon indicates that all of the host’s cameras are connected.

3..For camera events, only motion and video lost will be sent to GV-Cloud VMS by default. To send additional camera event types to GV-Cloud VMS, see 2.4.1 Configuring Advanced Settings.

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To specify which events should be sent to GV-Cloud VMS, click the Configure button on the Connect to GV-Cloud dialog box. Three types of settings are available: General, Camera, and I/O Device.

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[General]

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Figure 2-6

[Startup]

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[Connection Broken]

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[Notify GV-Cloud when the following events occur] Select which events to notify GV- Cloud VMS about. Click Modify to adjust the threshold for sending notifications when the free storage space or keep days falls below the threshold.

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[Temp Folder] The path to store logs and recordings to be sent to GV-Cloud VMS.

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[Camera]

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[Notify GV-Cloud of the monitoring status] Notify GV-Cloud VMS whenever camera monitoring is enabled or disabled.

[Notify GV-Cloud when the following events occur] Select a camera from the list, and then select the type of event or data to be sent to GV-Cloud VMS. By double-clicking the following two fields, you can specify the alarm conditions for specific events.

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Tip: To apply the same settings to all cameras in the list, click the Apply All button .

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[I/O Device]

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Figure 2-8

[Notify GV-Cloud of the monitoring status] Notify GV-Cloud VMS whenever I/O monitoring is enabled or disabled.

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[Input] Select an Input device from the list.

[Output] Select an output device the list.

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You can connect up to four ONVIF cameras, through GV-Cloud Bridge, to GV-Cloud VMS for cloud central monitoring.

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In GV-Cloud Bridge:

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In GV-Cloud VMS:

When the GV-Cloud VMS connection is established, the host will be displayed, with a yellow icon or a green icon . on the GV-Cloud VMS Home page.

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Without a license, you can view live streaming from the host.

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By adding a license, you can receive snapshots or back up video to GV-Cloud VMS. For details, see 2.2 Adding Licenses.

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Note:

1.To ensure a smooth playback on GV-Cloud VMS, it is suggested to connect a maximum of 2 cameras for the 4 MP license plan, 3 cameras for 2 MP license plan, and 4 cameras for 720p and SD license plan.

2..The yellow icon indicates that some of the host’s cameras are disconnected, while the green icon indicates that all of the host’s cameras are connected.

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Chapter 3 Home Page

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3.1 Video Window

By clicking an event snapshot on the Home page, you can access the event playback, live view or snapshot, depending on the licenses you purchased.

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.Note: When you click Playback and no video is displayed, the video clip may not have been created yet. The maximum length of a video clip created in GV-Cloud Bridge is 30 seconds, while the default length of a video clip created in GV-VMS / GV-AI Guard is 5 minutes, you may have to wait until the specified length has elapsed after an event begins to view the video playback.

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Chapter 4 Cloud VMS Settings

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The Hosts page allows you to create host accounts and view the status of the host’s cameras, I/O devices, and storage. Click a created host in the list to access the following functions.

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[Info]

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This page allows you to edit the information of a host. Click  next to Info to start editing. You can also reset the host’s login password from this page.

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[Cameras]

You can view the camera’s connection, monitoring status, applied license plan, plan expiration date, camera resolution, and monitoring type on the Cameras page.

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Note: When the camera’s resolution does not match the applied license plan, the following 2 icons will appear:

1.The yellow exclamation mark icon : Move your cursor to the icon and a tooltip of The resolution does not match will appear. This means the camera’s main or sub stream resolution is lower than the applied license plan, and the followings will occur:

(1)The recordings will be uploaded onto GV-Cloud VMS using the closest resolution;

(2)The “Resolution does not match” event will be included in GV-Cloud VMS event log.

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[Modules]

The Modules page displays which inputs and outputs on the host are being triggered.

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[Storage]

On the Storages page, you can view the host’s storage information such as the recycle threshold, Keep Day, storage path, and remaining storage space.

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On the Live Streaming page, you can access the camera’s live view.

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Host List

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Screen Division

Event Snapshot

Frame Rate

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When motion or AI events occur, snapshots of them will appear on the left side of the Live Streaming window. By clicking an event, you can view the live view or play it back. For details, see 3.1 Video Window.

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Note:

1.You can install the WS player from the GeoVision download page or the download icon on the upper right corner on the Live Streaming / Playback pages for a better live view and playback experience. The smoothness of videos played with the WS player depends

on the capabilities of your computer.

2..PTZ control function is supported for GV-Cloud Bridge hosts (firmware V1.05 or later) using WS Player.

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You can play back events directly from a host (Local Streaming), or from GV-Cloud (Cloud Streaming).

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Date

Local Streaming / Cloud Streaming

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Event Marks

Play

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Note:

1.You can install the WS player from the GeoVision download page or the download icon on the upper right corner on the Live Streaming / Playback pages for a better live view and playback experience. The smoothness of videos played with the WS player depends

on the capabilities of your computer.

2.The WS player is not supported by Safari.

3..Cloud Streaming does not support colors in the timeline to differentiate between event types.

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On the Query Events page, you can search for events by category, including I/O Event, System Abnormal, Camera Event, I/O Alert, System Status, Connection, Access Control, Storage, and AI Event.

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By clicking an event snapshot, you can view the live view or play it back. For details, see 3.1 Video Window.

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Note: The event query can display up to 10,000 results.

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On the Shared Links page, you can see a list of shared links you created through the video window. To create a shared link, see No. 8 in 3.1 Video Window.

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Note: The note for a shared recording is editable. However, once a note is deleted, it cannot be added back to the recording.

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On the Archives page, you can see a list of archived recordings you created through the video window. To archive a recording, see No. 7 in 3.1 Video Window.

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Double-click an archived recording to play it back.

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Note:

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When an event occurs, you can be alerted via push notifications on your mobile device.

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On the Groups page, you can specify which account users have access to which hosts by creating groups. A group named “default” has been created with access to all hosts.

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To create a group:

1.Click at the top right.

2.Name the group, and click Send. The group is created.

3.Click the newly created group.

4.To assign hosts and users to the group, click the Edit icon  besides Group Info.

5.Select all Available Hosts or desired hosts, and click to add.

6.Select all Available Users or desired users, and click to add.

7.Click Save. The results may appear as follows:

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To sort cameras:

After assigning hosts and users to a group, you can configure how camera channels from the hosts are arranged across different screen divisions.

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IMPORTANT: The default group has been created to allow all users to access all hosts. Therefore, to specify an account user to view only limited hosts, remove the user from the default group.

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Chapter 5 Account Management

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You can add account users to monitor different hosts on GV-Cloud VMS. GV-Cloud VMS supports two types of account users:

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To add an account user:

1.At the top of the left menu, click the GV-Cloud Apps icon > Account Management.

2.At the top right, click  . The Create User page appears.

3.Type the user’s name, email address, and mobile phone number (optional).

4.Click Send. A confirmation e-mail is sent to the operator.

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After clicking the activation link to confirm the e-mail account, the account user will receive another e-mail confirming the success of GV-Cloud registration, along with a temporary login password.

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The account user can now log into GV-Cloud using the registered e-mail address and the temporary login password. To change the login password, click the Account icon at the bottom of the left menu and select Account Setting.

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To assign host permissions:

See 4.7 Groups for details on how to specify which account users have monitoring access to which hosts. Only the hosts assigned to the account user will be displayed when the user logs in.

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To change a non-master user to a master user, follow the steps below:

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By default, GV-Cloud accounts log in using their e-mail and password. 2-Factor Authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to your account by requiring you to retrieve a code via SMS or e-mail in order to login.

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To enable 2FA on the GV-Cloud account:

1.At the bottom of the left menu, click the Account icon > Account Setting.

2.Click Security .

3.Toggle the Enable 2FA option.

4.Select which way to retrieve a code for login: SMS or Email.

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Note: If multiple users are created under the same GV-Cloud account, each user must log in to configure their own two-factor authentication.

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Chapter 6 Audit Log

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Audit logs are records of events and changes made by your GV-Cloud accounts that provide a complete record of account activities. Therefore, audit logs are a valuable resource for administrators investigating suspicious network activities and diagnosing problems.

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You can conduct a log search by specifying a time range, service, and user behavior. The Audit Log will return the following information:

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Note: The Audit Log can store 60-day data, and overwrite it with new data on a daily basis.

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Chapter 7 E-Map

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You can place the icons of connected cameras on Google Maps or on a map you uploaded to GV-Cloud. The map will help you quickly pinpoint the location of an event or the devices you have installed.

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4.Click the Pin to open the map.

5.Click Edit at the top of the map

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8.Click Edit at the top of the map again when you are finished.

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Tip: By clicking the 3D button, the created map can be displayed in 3D view, which you can zoom in and out of a map with the mouse wheel, and rotate it as desired.

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You can enable the Event List on the right side of the map to display real-time events, and select which events should appear on the list. When an event occurs, the corresponding map with a flashing icon of a triggered camera will also pop up on the screen.

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1.To specify which events should appear on the Event List, click Filter at the top right, select the desired event messages, and click Save.

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2.To enable the map popup function, select Auto Select Newest Event at the top right. When the specified events occur, the relevant map with the flashing camera icon will pop up.

3.To view the live view of a triggered camera, click its icon.

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Appendix

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Basic Network Settings

In most cases, no network configuration is required to access the GV-Cloud services. Only when your firewall or ISP restricts outbound connections do you need to open the following default ports for remote connections.

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The GV-Cloud services also use the IP addresses listed below. If outbound connections are restricted, add the three IP addresses to the whitelist of your network for remote access.

*.gvaicloud.com

*.ccrelay.mygvcloud.com relay.vsm.mygvcloud.com,

Importance of Firmware Upgrades

Another reason for updating firmware is to enable new features which are added to the camera software. One example is the 5MP Active Deterrence PTZ, which gained the ability to perform auto-tracking after a new firmware was released in 2021. Leo Xu from Uniview said this about firmware upgrades: “We do a major update every quarter and a minor update every month. Every product has some differences.”

How to Perform a Firmware Upgrade – Via EZTools 2.0

Now that you understand the importance of a firmware upgrades, you’ll want to know how it’s done. The easiest way to upgrade your camera’s firmware is via EZTools 2.0; Uniview’s robust camera configuration tool. You can download that from the support section of our website – 

After installing EZTools 2.0, open the software and follow the steps below to update your Uniview cameras’ firmware:

If you selected an NVR during steps 1 and 5, you will be able to upgrade all cameras added to the NVR during step 6. So, this method makes it very quick and easy to perform a firmware upgrade.

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How to Perform a Firmware Upgrade – Via Web Interface

Another way to perform a firmware upgrade is via the web interface of the camera. To access the web interface of the camera, use EZTools 2.0 to find the local IP of the camera and enter it in your web browser. Or, you can click the “Remote Web” icon to automatically open the camera in your default browser.

Login to your camera via the web interface; you may have to change the default password first. Once logged into the camera, navigate to Setup -> System -> Maintenance. You’ll see two options under Software Upgrade: “Local Upgrade” and “Cloud Upgrade”. If you already have the latest firmware package on your computer, choose “Local Upgrade” otherwise use the cloud upgrade function by clicking “Detect”. If a new firmware is available, the button will change to “Cloud Upgrade”; click it again to update the camera to the latest version.

How to Perform a Firmware Upgrade – Via NVR (using local monitor)

The previous two methods of upgrading your firmware require a laptop or desktop computer to complete. If you don’t have access to a computer, you can also upgrade the camera’s firmware through the NVR’s local interface. Of course, the NVR must be connected to a monitor via VGA or HDMI so you can see what’s happening.

Using a USB mouse connected to the NVR, right-click to open the menu and select “Main Menu”. Navigate to Maintenance -> Upgrade -> IPC Upgrade for a list of all cameras added to the NVR. Click “Check for Update” at the bottom for the NVR to search Uniview’s servers for the latest firmware version for your cameras. Next, select the cameras you’d like to upgrade by checking the box on the left side. Finally, click “Upgrade by Cloud” and hit “OK” to upgrade the selected cameras firmware.

Conclusion

It’s important to regularly keep the firmware on your Uniview cameras updated to the latest version for security and performance reasons. The instructions in this guide also apply to Uniview NVRs, which also need to be upgraded for the same reasons. If you aren’t able to find the latest firmware via cloud upgrade, you can try emailing Uniview support: globalsupport@uniview.com. Occasionally they have access to newer, stable firmware which has not been released on the cloud yet. In addition, we plan on adding firmware downloads to our site in the near future.

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Support – EZView Firmware

Please update at your own risk
We are not responsible for any device failure

DVR Firmware

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IP Camera Firmware

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Update by EZCloud

Updating from the recorder

Note: NVR must be online in order for this to work and make sure System > Network > EZCloud is enabled.

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How to Update Uniview Cameras Firmware (2024 Instructions)

If you own a security camera system, it’s very important to keep the firmware updated for all the components such as the cameras, recorders, and even the apps/software used for monitoring. Occasionally, vulnerabilities are discovered which can be exploited and have the system hacked or misused.

Recently, Uniview announced a security notice regarding their firmware and equipment that required an update to close bugs that allowed users to target the cameras.

Another reason to update the firmware of the cameras is to enable new features or other technical improvements.

Sometimes cameras may underperform and the update may fix issues such as a bad image, erroneous behaviors, unresponsiveness, etc.

Usually, Uniview releases a major update every quarter, and a minor update every month. Basically, you need to pay attention to your equipment and ensure that the units are using the latest firmware at all times.

In this guide, we will show how to update Uniview cameras, what software to use, and how to find the right firmware.

How to update firmware on Unview cameras

There are three ways how you can update the firmware:

Upgrading the firmware via EZTools

The easiest way to update Uniview’s camera firmware is by using the EZTools software. This tool can be downloaded here (or from Uniview’s website) and it’s basically a configuration tool.

It allows the user to scan the local network. Simply locate Uniview cameras and then by following the prompts you can update the firmware.

Once the EZTools is installed, run the tool. The software will scan the local network and list all the found devices (as shown in the picture below).

Check the box beside the camera (or NVR) that needs firmware update. Then click Login (the status should show “Not Logged In”). In this window, you need to type the camera’s username and password and then hit OK.

Next, click the Upgrade tab on the left hand. Choose Local Upgrade if you have previously downloaded the firmware in a .zip or .bin format (on your computer). Otherwise, select Cloud Upgrade.

Tick the box beside the device that needs to be updated and then hit Upgrade to start the process. The tool will show if there’s a new firmware update; if so, hit OK and the upgrade procedure will start right away.

Usually, it takes 2-5 minutes to complete. During this time, don’t disconnect the camera or perform any other action. If interrupted, the camera may be bricked.

If you did select to update an NVR, you will be able to update the cameras hooked up to the NVR during the last step. This method makes it easier to update all the devices at once. And as we said, keep all your equipment up-to-date.

Upgrading the Firmware via web interface (for UNV devices)

Another method to update the firmware is by accessing the device via the web browser and going through the on-screen prompts.

First, you need to find the IP address of the unit; install EZTools software in your laptop/computer and find out what’s the local IP address of the camera.

Once you have that information, go to the web browser and type the IP address in the URL bar. Additionally, you may click the Remote Web icon in the EZTool and the software will automatically open up the web interface.

Once you log into the camera using your username and password, navigate to Setup > System > Maintenance. In this section, you should see two options under Software Upgrade: Local Upgrade and Cloud Upgrade.

If you have the firmware downloaded to your laptop, choose Local Upgrade, locate the file, and start the upgrade process. Otherwise, select the Cloud Upgrade option by hitting Detect.

The camera will check online if there’s any update package available; if so, the button will change to Cloud Upgrade. Click update and wait until the unit is updated.

Once the update is done, the unit will automatically reboot. Wait until it comes back online.

Upgrading the firmware via the Uniview NVR

The two previous methods shown above require a laptop or a desktop computer to update the firmware.

If you don’t have access to a computer, you can easily update the camera’s firmware directly to the NVR’s interface. The NVR needs to be connected to a monitor (or TV) and you can use a mouse to navigate.

Right-click with your mouse and select the Main Menu option. Then navigate to Maintenance > Upgrade > IPC Upgrade where you should see all the cameras added to the NVR.

Hit the “Check for Update” button and the NVR will start searching Uniview’s servers for any available firmware.

Then, select the cameras that you want to upgrade by ticking the box. Click “Upgrade by Cloud” and wait until the firmware is updated. In some cases, the NVR may reboot.

Conclusion

It’s crucial to keep your security devices updated to the latest firmware at all times. This not just improves the performance, but ensures that your system is secure.

In this guide, we showed detailed instructions on how to update the firmware of Unview cameras by going through the web browser, using EZTools, or via the NVR’s update interface.

You can either download the firmware from Uniview, or you can use the Cloud feature to let the system find and automatically install the correct firmware.

Additionally, you may contact Uniview’s support team to get firmware files that the NVR cannot find via the Cloud. Make sure to send them the correct model and serial number as shown on the sticker.

Uniview camera Uplink firmware

Method 1. Updating From The NVR

1.Log into the Main Menu of the recorder.

2.Navigate to Camera > Camera > Advanced

3.Click on the By Cloud button for each camera that needs to be upgraded. Each camera can also be selected by clicking on its check box and then clicking the By Cloud icon to the right.

Method 2. Updating From The NVR Web Interface

1. Load the recorders IP address in Internet Explorer. Login to the recorder once the login page is
loaded.

2.Navigate to the Settings menu and then to Camera in the left hand menu and then to IP Camera in the sub menu.

3.Navigate to the Advanced settings tab

4.In the list of cameras find the cameras that need to be upgraded and click the Upgrade By Cloud Button

5.The cameras status list will then display downloading followed by uploading % and then finished off with upgrading. After it is done upgrading the camera will reboot.

Method 3. Upgrading From Camera Web Interface

1.Find the local IP address of the camera and navigate to the IP address in Internet Explorer

2.Login to the camera and navigate to Setup > Maintenance > Maintenance

3.Locate the Cloud Upgrade Detect button and click it

4.The camera will feed back A New Version Detected for Upgrade

5.Then click the Cloud Upgrade button again

6.The camera web interface will then show a camera is updating overlay.

Method 4. Updating From EZTools

1.Open the EZTools Program

◦ You can Download That here

2.Select the Upgrade Tab on the Left side

3.Click on the Online Upgrade Tab

4.Checkmark the Device you would like to upgrade

5.Click on the Upgrade button on the bottom right corner

6.Once online upgrade is clicked the EZTools will search automatically for newer firmware for the
selected devices. The EZTools will then give you a popup showing the current device firmware
and the newest available device firmware. Check off each device that you want to upgrade on
the left hand side and click the OK button at the bottom.

7.The status of the device in the main list of devices will then read updating

8.After the update is done the device status will say Upgrade Succeeded, the device will then
restart and be up to date

Method 5. Updating From EZView App

1.Open the EZView app and navigate to the main menu in the upper left hand corner of the app.

2.Select the Devices tab. The device that has a red circle next to it shows that an update is available for the recorder or the cameras.

3.Assuming that the device has already been added to the app (if not add the device) click on the
device and select the P2P Upgrade button.

4.In the next menu select all of the devices that have the red circles next to them indicating that
they need to be firmware updated

5.Click on the Start Upgrade button at the bottom of the screen. The update will take about 5-10 min depending on how many devices and internet speed.

6.After giving the recorder enough time check back to the app to see if all of the red circles are gone. If they are this will let you know that all selected devices upgraded correctly.

all Uniview firmware download

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Overview

The Wisenet SKY Cloud Video Management System (VMS) is a Cloud-based service that replaces traditional digital video recorders (DVRs) and network video recorders (NVRs). The system is completely based on a modern redundant Cloud architecture that provides a web-browser-based interface and comprehensive mobile applications for iOS and Android.

The Wisenet SKY Cloud VMS is utilized for traditional security applications such as securing buildings, properties, apartment complexes, factories, critical infrastructure, police stations, retail stores, and restaurant chains. However, it is used for many applications related to “business optimization” as well. Business optimization is the use of video to make a business or service run better by being more reliable, more efficient, or providing better customer service. In retail, this can be applied to perfecting the retail displays, sales process, training of employees, compliance with safety rules, and much more.

The Wisenet SKY Cloud VMS is built on the Wisenet SKY Video Platform. The Wisenet SKY Video Platform provides simple, modern API access to live and recorded video from the cameras, as well as all of the attached data of motion, tags, objects, and activity. These APIs are used to develop custom user interfaces and analysis applications for safety, motion, and other summary reports. The APIs are also used for creating integrations with external systems for monitoring and analysis, as well as development of custom user interfaces both in the mobile and web browser interfaces.

Who Should Use the Wisenet SKY Cloud VMS?

The Wisenet SKY Cloud VMS is a Cloud-based solution designed to operate for customers that have some Internet connectivity. It is NOT suitable for use by a customer that does not have an Internet connection. In general, the more bandwidth the customer has available, the better the system will work.

The key component of the bandwidth used by the Wisenet SKY Cloud VMS is the upload speed. Download speed is not as important. The minimum upload bandwidth that is recommended is 768 kbps. With this small amount of bandwidth, the system can operate properly with standard definition (SD) cameras. Using a Cloud-managed video recorder (CMVR) will allow higher resolution cameras to be used.

How Does the Wisenet SKY VMS Work?

The operation of the Wisenet SKY system is very simple. The digital and/or analog cameras communicate with the Wisenet SKY Bridge or CMVR, which is located at the customer’s site. This communication can occur either over the network (ethernet or wireless) or through an analog coax connection. Any configuration required by digital cameras will be performed by the bridge/CMVR.

The bridge/CMVR will record the video and audio to the local storage (located in the bridge/CMVR). This is necessary to buffer the video, but becomes extremely important if the Internet connection should go down.

Once the data is recorded to local storage, the bridge/CMVR will process the video and analyze it for any motion. If motion is detected, the video will be tagged with object and motion information. The video is then encrypted, and, if there is available bandwidth, the video is transferred to the Wisenet SKY Cloud Data Center for longer-term storage. In the case of the CMVR, the video may be kept locally rather than sent to the Cloud.

Using a CMVR with the Wisenet SKY Cloud VMS provides complete flexibility for storage of audio/video. In this case, the video may be stored locally, in the Cloud, or both. Different retention periods can be set for on-premises (local) and Cloud storage, and these periods can be adjusted for each individual camera. Furthermore, it is possible to transmit low-resolution video to the Cloud and keep high-resolution video local, or vice versa.

All access to both the live and recorded video is obtained via a connection to the Wisenet SKY Cloud VMS using a web browser or mobile application. The video and audio data will then be viewable. All configurations and

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settings modifications are performed via this same Cloud connection. If the desired footage has not been transmitted to the Cloud or a live video feed is requested, the Wisenet SKY Cloud Data Center will quickly request the necessary data or feed from the bridge or CMVR. This is considered “on-demand” viewing.

How is Your Data Protected?

Security is crucial in an environment like this. All data is encrypted from the moment it reaches the bridge/CMVR until it is viewed through the Wisenet SKY Cloud VMS. The data on the bridge/CMVR is encrypted at rest, meaning that if the device is stolen, the data onboard cannot be viewed. The Wisenet SKY Bridges and CMVRs also only have outbound communication with the Wisenet SKY Cloud Data Centers. This means that they do not have any open ports, nor do they require any port forwarding on firewalls. They are inherently safer and more secure because of this.

The Wisenet SKY Cloud VMS encrypts all video, audio, and any other data that is transmitted to and from the Cloud. All data in the Wisenet SKY Cloud Data Centers is encrypted at rest.

The Wisenet SKY Cloud Data Center, although referred to as a single data center, is actually a series of data centers distributed throughout the world. These data centers communicate with each other and maintain connections to Wisenet SKY Bridges and CMVRs to provide functionality. Data is protected through a redundant architecture where customers’ video is actually stored 3 different times, making loss of any video highly unlikely.

Bridges and CMVRs

Overview

Wisenet SKY Bridges and CMVRs are critical components to making the Wisenet SKY Cloud VMS operate. They are the connection between the cameras (and other input devices) and the Wisenet SKY Cloud Data Center.

Without them, no data can get to the Cloud, and no data or video can be seen by the user. We won’t dive into each function performed by the bridges and CMVRs here, however, it is important to understand that the bridge/CMVR receives all the video (and audio) from the cameras and configures and controls IP cameras via the camera’s ONVIF interface.

Bridge/CMVR Security and Maintenance

Bridges and CMVRs only communicate with the Wisenet SKY Cloud Data Center. Because of this, they do not require any inbound open ports or firewall inbound openings. This keeps the data on the bridge/CMVR secure.

The Wisenet SKY Bridges and CMVRs are remotely managed and maintained by Wisenet SKY. The reseller or customer does not need to perform any software, firmware, or security updates. All of this type of maintenance is done automatically by the Wisenet SKY Cloud VMS. When the bridge/CMVR boots, it checks to see if there are any available updates and automatically applies them. This makes for a more secure and more reliable environment.

Available Models

The Wisenet SKY Bridge and CMVR are available in over 20 different models. Careful consideration needs to be taken to choose the appropriate model for each situation. There are bridges and CMVRs available that can support up to 180 cameras. More cameras at a single location can be supported by using multiple bridges/CMVRs.

The most popular bridge model for new installations is the 304. This is a physically small bridge, supporting up to 15 IP cameras, and is appropriate for remote locations. For retrofit applications using analog cameras, the most popular bridge models are the 310 and 410, which support 8 and 16 BNC (HD-over-coax) cameras, respectively.

The 310 and 410 models are known as Combo Bridges because they support both analog and digital cameras. It is a

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1:2 relationship in the number of cameras supported: for every 1 analog input not used, 2 IP cameras can be used. So the 310 supports up to 8 analog or 16 IP cameras, and the 410 supports up to 16 analog or 32 IP cameras. Any combination of analog and IP can be used following the 1:2 rule of 1 analog or 2 IP cameras.

There are a large variety of CMVRs as well. Like the bridges, they are available in combo and digital-only versions. CMVRs are used when it is necessary, whether because of policy, compliance, or customer preference, to keep some or all of the video on-premises, or if there is not enough bandwidth available to transmit all of the recorded video to the Cloud.

The Bridges and CMVRs also have multiple options when it comes to physically mounting them. When server racks are available, we generally recommend rack mountable units, but, for other situations, smaller units that can be mounted in data closets or underneath desks are available.

All bridges and CMVRs include storage. For bridges, however, the storage is intended only as a buffer to hold the video for a short time in case bandwidth is not immediately available to transmit to the Cloud. CMVRs are designed for longer-term on-premises storage. However, the videos stored on the CMVR are still managed, controlled, and viewed from the Wisenet SKY Cloud VMS.

So, even with the CMVR, when the user wants to view the video, the encrypted data is sent through the Cloud to the Wisenet SKY Cloud VMS, allowing the video to be viewed from anywhere with an internet connection. This provides for a consistent user interface and better user experience, keeping it the same regardless of the hardware type (as long as minimum upload bandwidth is available). For a CMVR or bridge, we recommend a minimum of 2 Mbps upload above the preview transmit.

Some bridge and CMVR models have a video output connector and support local display. Using this connector, live video can be displayed on a monitor attached to the bridge or CMVR. This is useful in many situations where a manager wants the live view available at all times, or an overhead display is desired to show that surveillance is in use. Local display, like all items in the Wisenet SKY Cloud VMS, is managed and configured from the Cloud.

For details on current Wisenet SKY Bridge and CMVR models, please check https://www.hanwhasecurity.com/solutions/wisenet-sky/

Bridge/CMVR Failure

Bridges and CMVRs are basic computers (similar to a PC or the insides of an NVR or DVR), and are therefore susceptible to hardware failure. This can occur due to failure with the power supply, hard disk, or general electronics. If the bridge or CMVR fails, video recording will typically stop. With a bridge, video that has not been transmitted to the Wisenet SKY Cloud Data Center may be lost, and the bridge will need to be replaced. A CMVR may need to be replaced, or it could be repaired (depending on its size).

Because all the configuration information for the bridge/CMVR is stored in the cloud, replacing a bridge/CMVR is quick and painless. The Wisenet SKY Cloud VMS will push all the configuration information for the bridge/CMVR and cameras to the new device. The only work needed by the technician or customer is to physically replace the bridge/CMVR.

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Cameras

Digital IP Cameras

The Wisenet SKY Cloud VMS uses the ONVIF standard to communicate with digital IP cameras. Unfortunately, this does not mean that the system works with all cameras that claim to be ONVIF compliant. ONVIF is only a small part of the complexity of communicating with Digital IP Cameras. The list of supported cameras is located at: https://www.hanwhasecurity.com/wisenet-sky-camera-compatibility-list/

If purchasing new cameras, we recommend using cameras that are listed on our website. If you have existing digital IP cameras that claim to be ONVIF compliant, we can often make them work. Please contact us for support.

The Wisenet SKY Cloud VMS can also support cameras that are manually configured and output RTSP streams. This is an advanced feature so please contact our support team for details on how to configure this for your specific situation.

Some Wisenet SKY customers have attempted to utilize the multi-stream capabilities of cameras to feed two different VMS systems. We strongly advise against this. There is too much complexity and crossover in the communications with the cameras to do this reliably. A camera should only communicate with the Wisenet SKY Cloud VMS.

Today’s digital IP cameras are very complex. They contain a tremendous amount of hardware and software. The software almost always has security issues and serious bugs, so it is common for these cameras to crash and hang. The Wisenet SKY Cloud VMS will automatically do everything it can to restart cameras that crash or fail like this, however, the cheaper cameras tend to crash and fail more often because the testing processes applied to them by the manufacturer are less stringent. If you want a reliable system we recommend choosing quality cameras.

Analog Cameras

Analog cameras can also be used with the Wisenet SKY Cloud VMS. Analog cameras typically require power from an external source, though. This is different from digital IP cameras that often use power-over-ethernet (POE) and can be powered directly from bridges/CMVRs/switches with POE.

Analog cameras need to be connected to Wisenet SKY Combo Bridges, typically using coaxial cable connections. Other connections are possible, but the most common (and the connectors provided by Wisenet SKY) are coax.

The Wisenet SKY Combo Bridges support both NTSC and PAL. Additionally, the combo bridges have been tested with over 1,000 different analog cameras, with 100% success.

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Installation and Setup

This is a quick overview of the physical and network installation for the Wisenet SKY Cloud VMS. A bridge is used in this example, however, a CMVR is nearly identical.

Prerequisites

Internet connection and bandwidth: Each location requires an Internet connection for the Wisenet SKY Cloud VMS to function correctly. The available bandwidth is very important. Higher bandwidth provides faster response for the user, leading to a better experience. For each 1MP HD camera, we recommend about 500 Kbps upload speed. Note that these upload speed bandwidth suggestions compound, so two of those cameras will need 1 Mbps, and so on. Consumer grade bandwidth is acceptable; you do not need “business grade”.

DHCP enabled: The Wisenet SKY Bridge and most cameras will use DHCP IP addresses by default, so it’s best to make sure the modem or router supplied by your Internet provider has DHCP enabled. If you need to implement static IP addresses on either the Wisenet SKY Bridge or the cameras, please see the OPTIONAL section below.

Wisenet SKY Cloud VMS User Manual

Read Next : Wisenet WAVE User Guide

Physical Installation

Wisenet SKY Bridge: Connect the Wisenet SKY Bridge to the router or modem through the WAN port on the Bridge. This can be done either through a switch or directly. Make certain that you use the WAN port for this and not the CamLAN port. DO NOT CONNECT THE CAMLAN PORT TO YOUR REGULAR NETWORK – IT IS FOR CAMERAS ONLY!

Connecting the CamLAN port to a router or modem will serve addresses to any devices that are set to DHCP client, exposing them to the internet. When connected to cameras or a switch, the CamLAN does not allow internet connection whatsoever; it is a private network designed just for cameras in order to isolate them from the wide area network (WAN).

After connecting to the internet, connect the power supply to turn on the bridge. After booting up, the bridge will check for updates then download and install them if available.

Figure 1 – Wiring Diagram for Wisenet SKY Bridge or CMVR

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Power over Ethernet (PoE) Switch (for Digital Cameras): If there are more cameras than available ports on the bridge (or if your bridge does not support PoE), connect a PoE switch to the CamLAN port of the Wisenet SKY Bridge to supply power to your digital cameras. If you are using analog cameras the switch is not needed. The CamLAN port provides DHCP addresses for the cameras and is non-routable to the WAN. Alternatively, cameras may be connected to the same switch as the WAN port of the bridge. If you are using managed switches be sure to enable multicast.

Cameras: Connect each camera to the bridge, POE switch, or analog BNC connectors and power them up. The Wisenet SKY Quickstart Guide included with the camera has detailed instructions for different camera manufacturers, but, typically, no configuration via the camera’s web interface is needed. If reusing cameras from a previous setup, make sure they are set to factory defaults and that DHCP is enabled. It is best to upgrade the firmware on the cameras to receive the latest fixes and security from the manufacturer.

Wisenet SKY Cloud VMS Setup

Log in to your Wisenet SKY Reseller Account and Create a Customer Account: Log in to your Wisenet SKY Reseller Account at https://wisenetsky.com. If your company does not have an account, please contact Wisenet SKY Support (insidesales@hanwha.com).

After logging in you will see your Reseller Dashboard. Create an account for your customer by clicking the Add Account button. After the account has been created, click the “eye” icon next to the customer name to jump into the customer’s account.

Attach the Bridge to Customer Account: Attach the Wisenet SKY Bridge to the customer account by pressing the Add Bridge button on the Dashboard page. Enter the AttachId of the bridge you are installing and give the bridge a name. To follow best practices, choose a naming convention that will make sense to identify the bridge’s location and will be scalable.

Note that a bridge can only be attached to one account at a time; if you have already added the bridge to another account (for testing or evaluation) you need to delete it from the previous account before adding it for the customer.

Also note that a bridge cannot be reused with a different customer. It will need to be returned to Wisenet SKY so that the data can be erased and the hardware recertified. A new bridge is required for each new customer location.

Figure 2 – Add a bridge

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Figure 3 – Attach a Bridge