Shepherd supports various powerful functions, including: IP-address assignment, remote reboot/restore, and firmware and VADP package upload. Shepherd greatly benefits system integrators and installers who often have projects that require the simultaneous set up of multiple cameras with the same settings.

Shepherd supports batch uploading of firmware and exporting device lists for VIVOTEK NVRs, updating virus signatures for cameras equipped with the Trend Micro IoT Security package, and importing / exporting Stereo Tracker, Deep Learning VCA and VCA package configurations.

How install Shepherd tool into your PC

The Shepherd is a VIVOTEK tool that allows you to find the cameras in your network, perform basic configuration, manage firmware upgrades and collect basic information (firmware version, model name, ports, etc.). To install this software in your PC please follow the next steps.

Step 1. Go to the official webpage of the Shepherd application: https://www.vivotek.com/Shepherd

Step 2. Select the “Download” tab and click on the latest version available to download the application.

Be sure to use the newer version unless you have really old cameras.

Step 3. Once the download is complete run the installer, then select a location in where you want to extract the application. For this example, we will extract the application in the “Desktop” folder.

Note: This is a portable application so it wont be directly installed in your system. 

Step 4. Go to the extracted location (in this case “Desktop”) and find a folder called “Shepherd2”. This folder will contain the files necessary to run the application.

Step 5. Run the “Shepherd.exe” file, be sure to use administrator rights to open it. o

For easier access, you can also make a shortcut by right clicking and choosing Send to > Desktop.

Step 5. Once the interface is running, you can start searching your cameras and accessing by just double-clicking them. 

Vivotek Shepherd setup and user guide

Read Also : VAST Security Station complete guide

Where can I find the software version information for the Shepherd application?

Question

Where can I find the software version information for the Shepherd application?

Answer

To find the software version information for the VIVOTEK Shepherd application, you can follow these steps:

Step 1. Open the Shepherd application on your PC.

Step 2. Once the Shepherd interface finish loading, click on the “Information” icon. 

Step 3. The “Information” window will appear, displaying the software version information, including the version number and device package version.

Can you find ONVIF cameras when using the Shepherd application?

Question

Can you find ONVIF cameras when using the Shepherd application

Answer

The VIVOTEK Shepherd application was designed to search and manage VIVOTEK devices using VIVOTEK communication protocols, unfortunately the application cannot search or configure ONVIF cameras in the network.

[Shepherd] Does the Shepherd application supports MAC OS?

Question

Does the Shepherd application supports MAC OS?

Answer

The VIVOTEK Shepherd only supports Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, the recent Windows 11 and several Windows servers (2012, 2016 and 2019).

Unfortunately, it does not support MAC OS. This means that if you’re using a MAC computer, you won’t be able to run the application on your device.

[Shepherd] What ports are being mainly used by the Shepherd application for communication?

The Shepherd application mainly uses (as default) port 5678 to send UDP broadcast packets to the network in order to find VIVOTEK devices.

When the devices receive the broadcast, it will reply the application with basic information such as model name, IP, mac and ports used for communication.

Then, the Shepherd application it will use those ports configured in the device to perform configurations, data upload and firmware upgrade. 

.

Why I cannot update the Trend Micro license via Shepherd ?

Question

Why I cannot update the Trend Micro license via Shepherd ?

Answer

Shepherd version 3.2.0.3 and older version do not support the Trend Micro license update. We have released a new software version 3.3 and this version supports the Trend Micro license update.

There are two different filename extension in Trend Micro license: JSON and TXT. Shepherd version 3.3 supports both these two filename extension of Trend Micro license.

Failed to create OpenGL context for format QSurfaceFormat…

DESCRIPTION

When trying to run the Shepherd 2 on a server we get this error message.
Is there a way of disabling the graphics adapter requirements of the Shepherd2 as the server seem to not have the required graphics adapter support.

ROOT CAUSE

Shepherd2 is required to use OpenGL to draw the program layout.
For most of computer with the latest graphic card driver, it could support OpenGL.
For some did not support OpenGL, customer could use Windows built-in DirectX(ANGLE library) instead.
However, using DirectX is not default behavior of Sheperd2.
Customer needs to add new environment variables QT_OPENGL=angle into system to let shepherd2 use DirectX.

SOLUTION

For Windows 10:
1. From the Desktop, right-click the very bottom left corner of the screen to get the Power User Task Menu. From the Power User Task Menu, click System.

For Windows 7:
1. Click the Start button, right-click the Computer option in the Start menu, and select Properties.

2. Click the Advanced System Settings link in the left column.
3. (Please refer following figure) In the System Properties window, click on the Advanced tab, then click the Environment Variables button near the bottom of that tab.
4. In the Environment Variables window (pictured below), create a new environment variable, click New.
5. Enter the variable name =  QT_OPENGL and variable value= angle to let shepherd2 use DirectX.

Why the application cannot be opened after Windows 10 upgrade

QUESTION

It was reported that after a Windows 10 upgrade (ver 1803), when trying to open the Shepherd application it showed the following message:

Note: The Shepherd application is an executable so cannot be reinstalled

ANSWER

The issue was caused by changes in the Windows 10 QT libraries after the 1803 upgrade. We already release a new software version (ver 2.4.0.101) that can solve the issue. Please download this version from the following link:

Shepherd 2.4.0.101: http://download.vivotek.com/downloadfile/downloads/software/shepherd.exe

How to change the Shepherd’s UI size when it is too large?

QUESTION

How to change the Shepherd’s UI size when it is too large?

ANSWER

Shepherd will change the UI size automatically when the monitor size is large(upper or equal to 3840*2000).
If you want to change the UI, you can press “F11” to adjust it.

If you open Shepherd in a system using four screens, you will see the Shepherd’s UI become large.

In order to make it become smaller, you can press “F11” to adjust the Shepherd’s UI size.


Also refer the following video: ftp://fae:fae@ftp.vivotek.com/software/TechnicalReview/2019/Shepherd%20with%204%20monitor.MOV

How to batch upload a VADP package into several cameras?

Question

How to batch upload a VADP package into several cameras?

Answer

VIVOTEK cameras have the capability of using packages that integrates specific functions (such as Smart VCA, Trend Micro, VIVOCloud, etc). If you need to upload one package into several devices please follow the next steps:

Step 1. Open the Shepherd application.

Step 2. Select the cameras that you want to upload the VADP package. For this tutorial we will use a MD9560-H. 

For easy manipulation you can us Ctrl + Right-click to select multiple cameras or Ctrl + A to select all the devices on the list.

Step 3. Select Maintenance icon , a “Authorize devices” message will popup before allowing access to the interface. Please be sure to enter the camera’s username and password.

Note: If all the cameras are using a different password you wont be able to apply a batch upgrade because the software will be using the same authorization information for each camera. 

Step 4. In the Maintenance interface, go to the “Upload package” tab. Change the “Save package to” option to “Internal storage”.

Step 5. Select the VADP package to be uploaded in the cameras:

Once you select the package the Shepherd application will automatically start uploading the package to all the cameras. Once finished you will see a “Uploaded successfully” message in the interface indicating that the package was applied successfully.

How to update the device pack of Shepherd?

Question

When users want to use Shepherd to batch set cameras, the device pack must contain the camera model, or the parameters shown on the template page may not be consistent with the camera web UI. So, how to update the device pack of Shepherd?

Answer

Please follow the steps below to update the device pack of Shepherd.

1. Extract the .vdp file from .zip file downloaded from our website: https://www.vivotek.com/device_pack#downloads, and move it to the folder Shepherd2.

2. Executing Shepherd2.exe, it will automatically import the latest .vdp file.
3. The update process is complete.

How to find your camera using the Shepherd application

Question

How to find your camera using the Shepherd application

Answer

The VIVOTEK Shepherd application is a powerful tool that allows users to manage and find their VIVOTEK IP cameras in the network. In order to find your device please follow the next steps:

Step 1. Launch the Shepherd application on your computer.

Step 2. Once the application is running, it will automatically scan for all the devices in your network automatically. 

Note: You need to be sure that the PC that is searching the cameras is connected to the same subnet otherwise your camera wont be displayed in the Shepherd interface. 

Step 3. In the search bar, type the name of the camera you are trying to find. If you have cameras with the same model and want to find one specific device, you can type the device MAC address (unique hardware address). 

Camera model search:

MAC address search:

Step 4. Double click on the camera and you will be able to access to its web interface. 

Note: If its the first time you are accessing the camera you will need to set a password. 

If you are unable to find the camera you when using the Shepherd application, here are some useful documents that provide other suggestions in case any problem arises. 

How to batch upgrade camera firmware?

The Shepherd application upgrade function can help you not only upgrade one camera but a batch of cameras. If you want to apply a new firmware to all your devices at once please follow the next steps:

Step 1. Open the Shepherd application.

Step 2. Select the cameras that you want to upgrade and be sure that all the cameras selected are the same model (every firmware is unique to each model so uploading it to a different model will not work). For this tutorial we will use a MD9560-H. 

For easy manipulation you can us Ctrl + Right-click to select multiple cameras or Ctrl + A to select all the devices on the list.

Step 3. Select Maintenance icon  and then enter the camera username and password.

Note: If all the cameras are using a different password you wont be able to apply a batch upgrade because the software will be using the same authorization information for each camera. 

Step 4. In the Maintenance interface, go to the “Upload firmware” tab and then click on the “Select firmware to upload” button to upload the camera firmware file. 

After everything is ready, click on the “Apply” button to start the upgrade process:

In case your system environment power off frequently or have a large number of cameras (complex network), we strongly suggest to batch upgrade the camera into a small group such as 5 ~ 10 cameras per group to avoid an unexpected abort upgrade process.

Step 5. Wait for the upgrade process to be finished. If you want to check the progress you can click on the   icon. 

When it shows  and the upgrading progress next tot he model name as 0% it means that the file is being uploaded to the camera. Once the progress bar gets to 50% it means that the file was successfully uploaded to the camera, and now the camera by itself will install the new firmware.

Once the camera finished the update you will see a message next to the model name showing that the camera update was successful.

IMPORTANT: Please DO NOT power off the devices during the upgrade process.

How can I import same settings to a batch of cameras?

QUESTION

How can I import same settings to a batch of cameras?

ANSWER

The Shepherd application can export the configuration of a camera and apply it to other cameras. In order to do so please follow the next steps:

Step 1. Click Shepherd.exe to run the application, once open it will automatically detect all cameras in your network.
Step 2. Select a camera to export its configuration as a *.csv file.

Step 3. Click on the “Batch camera setup” icon. 

Step 4. Select “Create a template from camera” to create a file that will contain the configurations of the camera you previously selected. 

Once the configuration has been loaded into the Shepherd interface, select the sections you would like to configure in the other cameras and click the “Export” button to create a new template.

Note: You can also modify settings if needed. 

Step 5. Go back to the “Home” interface and select the cameras which you want to apply the configuration template created in the previous step.

Step 6. Go back to the “Batch camera setup” section and select “Import a template”.

Step 7. Select the template configurations that you wish to apply to the cameras. Once selected, click on the “Apply” button to save. Note: If you want to apply all the configurations to all the devices click on the “Apply all”  button. 

Once the process is finished, access the cameras and verify that the configurations were successfully applied. 

.

How to do when UI is transparent?

VAST2 UI (version: 2.0.0.1650) is transparent on Windows 10 of Hyper-V VM. I can see overlap issue between UI and shortcuts on desktop.

ANSWER

Please follow below steps to solve the issue.
1. Go to “Display Setup” file location.

2. Right click “Display setup” and run as administrator.

3. You will see Display setup window and then Press A.

Finished above steps, VAST2 UI will not be transparent.

VAST Security Station complete guide

Read More :

• GV-Eye Installation Guide
• ClareVision App Guide
• TRENDnetView EVO Administration Guide

How to update camera list of substation when there are new inserted cameras

QUESTION

I inserted new cameras on the substation under VAST2.
However,  I can’t see the new cameras on VAST2.
How to update camera list of substation when there are new inserted cameras?

ANSWER

Please refer to attached document

• VAST2 How to update camera list.pdf

What is Virtual Matrix on VAST?

Introduction

VIVOTEK provides a professional video wall solution, Virtual Matrix, a new feature in VAST version 1.5. Since its introduction, Virtual Matrix has been upgraded to support live views of an unlimited number of channels from the previous 64 channels. In addition, live views on an unlimited number of screens for an unlimited number of cameras are available, whereas the original version supported a maximum of 2 screens.

This document provides a general introduction to VAST Virtual Matrix along with explanations of how to set it up.

What is VIVOTEK Virtual Matrix?

The Virtual Matrix feature has been added to VAST to enable a more powerful surveillance setup in the central control room through support of multiple monitors.

LiveClient and VAST server work with Virtual Matrix to display an unlimited limited number of channels on an unlimited number of screens.

We have implemented the Matrix recipient control in LiveClient, allowing the user to control and configure Virtual Matrix. The Virtual Matrix recipient will be installed on other computers with multiple screens.

When LiveClient logs into the server, the user can set up a connection to the Virtual Matrix recipient, which needs to be started up first.

Once connected, the user can display the cameras on the screens of other computers through simple point-and-click operations. There is no limit to the number of screens, recipient connections, or camera feeds that can be displayed.

Why Use Virtual Matrix?

1. Powerful
   1. Unlimited number of channels – Virtual Matrix removes the upper limit of 64 viewable channels, allowing you to view an unlimited number.
   2. Unlimited number of screens – The upper limit of 2 screens for displaying channels has been removed, allowing an unlimited number of screens to be used for displaying feeds from an unlimited number of cameras.
      
   3. Superior picture quality and coverage – For improved surveillance, Virtual Matrix provides not only extremely clear and detailed picture quality, but also much expanded coverage with advanced cameras of 2-megapixel resolution or higher.
      
2. Easy to Use
   1. Flexible arrangement of selected camera feeds – Click the Layout button on the quick access bar. Select the desired layout mode and the arrangement of the channels will change accordingly. Eight layout modes and the corresponding number of video pages are listed below.
      
   2. Rotate camera for greater coverage The video pages will start to rotate so that the user does not have to click to move to the next page.
   3. Drag-and-drop support cell. To move a video channel to an empty video cell, simply drag the view to the desired
      
      To exchange the locations of two channels, drop one view onto the other.
      
   4. Easy searching Click to search for VAST Matrix recipients on the LAN.
      
3. Other Benefits
   1. Each VAST Matrix supports up to 10 monitors and 320 channels.
   2. Supports Key Frame Only mode – This mode allows VAST Matrix to receive all video frames, but only decode and display the key frame.
   3. Supports virtually all VIVOTEK products VAST Matrix supports all VIVOTEK cameras, NVR, and video servers (except NR7401).
   4. Low cost – Allows monitoring of numerous cameras feeds using only a few computers.

Minimum System Requirements

Before installing the VAST Matrix, please make sure your system meets the following recommended minimum system requirements.

How to set up Virtual Matrix?

1. Activating VAST Matrix After installing the VAST Matrix program, which runs as a standalone Windows, application on the remote computer, follow the steps below to activate it:
   1. Run the VAST Matrix program.
      
   2. By default, a single camera feed is displayed full-screen.
      
2. Settings of VAST – After running VAST Matrix, you must go to VAST to set up the settings of Matrix.
   1. Run the VAST LiveClient program.
      
   2. Click Matrix View, and then select Configuration > Virtual Matrix Management > Matrix Management… to bring up the setup window.
      
   3. You can click to search for Matrix recipients on the LAN or add a new matrix recipient by entering its IP address, account name and password.
      
   4. Click “Edit display settings to bring up the Display Settings window, where you can set the rotation interval, enable de-interlace mode, and toggle the display key frame only feature on or off.
      1. Enablede-interlace:Enhancesthedisplayedvideoqualityforsomecamerasthat do not have built-in de-interlacing capabilities. (Note: Increases processing overhead.)
      2. Displayonlykeyframe:VASTMatrixwillreceiveallvideoframes,butwillonly decode and display the key frame. (Note: This setting will not have any effect if the codec used is MJPEG.)
         
   5. Click Add to add the new matrix recipient to VAST, and display information on the associated Matrix View.
      
   6. You can drag and drop a device from the hierarchical management tree to a Matrix video cell.
      
   7. Right-clicking in the video cell allows you to select the displayed stream. For multiple-stream devices, you can select individual streams.
      
   8. You can click the layout button to change the arrangement of channels on each monitor (up to 32 channels).
      
   9. Click Layout > Start Rotation on the menu bar (it will then change to Stop Rotation), or click the Rotation button . The video pages will start to rotate so that the user does not have to click to advance to the next page.
   10. In Matrix View Settings – Media source:
       1. Directlyfromcamera:EnablestheMatrixtofunctionindependently—forexample, allowing you to view the Matrix even when the VAST server is offline.
       2. FromCMSserver:Reducestheloadingincamera,butnotethattheMatrixwill not be functional without VAST.
   11. In Matrix View Settings – Display Settings:
       1. Fullframerate:Displaysvideoatthefullframerate.
       2. Keyframeonly:DisplaysonlythekeyframetoreduceCPUload.
          

VAST Matrix settings

After you have completed setup of Virtual Matrix, you can go to VAST Matrix to further configure Matrix.

1. Right-click anywhere in the window to bring up the popup menu. The menu contains the items Configuration, View Settings, About, and Exit.
   
2. In the Connection page of the Configuration window, you can change the port used by Matrix (the default is 3455), account (the default is root), and password.
   
3. In the Monitor page, you can select monitors for display.
   
4. In the Others page, you can enable various options.
   1. Auto launch at Windows startup: Enable this option to start VAST Matrix automatically when logging into Windows.
   2. Display only key frame: VAST Matrix will receive all video frames, but will decode and display the key frame. (Note: This setting will not have any effect if the codec in use is MJPEG.)
   3. Enable de-interlace: Enhances the displayed video quality for some cameras that do not have built-in de-interlacing capability. (Note: Enabling this feature will increase the processing load on the system.)
      
5. In the View Settings window, you can set how individual video cells will be displayed.
   
6. If a user selects “Exit, it will close Matrix and VAST will not be able to control it further.

Setting up multiple monitors

This section describes the setup of VAST Matrix for use with multiple monitors, using an installation with four monitors as an example.

1. Prepare graphic cards with more than a single port.
   
   
   Note: To ensure compatibility, choose graphics cards from the same vendor as the system’s graphics processor—for example, NVIDIA or ATI.
   
2. The system motherboard must support multiple graphics cards.
   
3. Install the two graphics cards on the motherboard.
4. Set up the monitors.

   
   Note: Each graphic card has a specific type of connector. Some of the most common ones are Mini Display, DVI and D-Sub.
   

5. Start up the computer system, and make sure all the graphics cards are detected. You can set the display order as desired.
   
6. After setting up multiple monitors for display using VAST Matrix, you can have a video wall like the one shown below.
   

Why does VAST playback show export failed ffffffff while exporting video clips?

Why I cannot export video clip from VAST playback? When I export video clip by clicking Mark I and II in playback, it shows “Fail – Export to AVI/EXE failed – ffffffff”.

Answer

The export path was changed to system folder, e.g. C:\Program Files (x86)\VIVOTEK Inc\VAST\Client\Playback\Export. When your Windows account doesn’t have Administrator privilege to run VAST Playback, you cannot export video clips to the system folder. There are two ways to export video clips. 1. Change the export path to a non-system folder, e.g. default path C:\ProgramData\VIVOTEK Inc\VAST\Client\PlayBack.

Why is network throughput more than the bit rate in camera video setting page?

Question

Why is network throughput more than the bit rate in camera video setting page?

Answer

Network throughput which shows in VAST LiveView includes the bit rate of video and audio of the camera required.
If you would like to check what bit rate of video requires, please enable “Mute” feature in camera audio setting page.

How to enable the SD9365/SD9366 wiper in the VAST LiveClient using the DO?

Question

How to enable the SD9365/SD9366 wiper in the VAST LiveClient using the DO?

Answer

The wiper control function is not integrated in the VAST LiveClient, this function was only implemented in the VAST2. If you require to control the wiper using the LiveClient, it is necessary to link the wiper to the DO trigger (can be controlled in the LiveClient). Note: before starting the configuration, be sure to enable the “Keep detecting DI/DO status” in the VAST Configuration > Client Settings > General Settings otherwise you wont be able to enable the DI/DO in the VAST device tree.

Please follow the next steps to configure the wiper using DO:

Step 1. Be sure that the DO is not being used in the SD9365/SD9366.
Step 2. Access the VAST LiveClient.
Step 3. Go to Configuration > Alarm Management… to set an alarm.

Step 4. In the Alarm Management window click “New”.

Step 5. Name your alarm (in this example we used “Move wiper”, but you can name the alarm as you like) and click Next.

Note: adding a description is optional.

Step 6. In the “Trigger” section, click on the “Add” button,

Then, choose the event as “Trigger type” (this will let the software know that is a trigger action), the category as “Camera events” (this will check the camera status) and be sure to select the “DO-1” as the type and click “OK”.

Note: you can also select another DO if available.

Step 7. In the Device List -DO-1 window, select the SD9365/SD9366 camera.

Be sure the Notification type is set to “Trigger” (this will check if the DO changed from Normal to Trigger). Then, click “OK”.

Step 8. Double check that the trigger has been saved, then click Next.

Step 9. In the “Action” section, click on the “Add” button to add the action to be performed (Wiper movement).

Step 10. In the “Action” window, select the HTTP action, then use the following URL to enable the wiper in the camera:
http://<camera IP>/cgi-bin/admin/peripheral.cgi?channel=0&operation=set& washer_mode=wiper&washer_status=on

So, each time the DO is enabled, it will send this command to the camera and the wiper will move. Note: be sure to authenticate the command, otherwise the camera will block the request.

Step 11. Be sure that the action was correctly saved and then press “Next”.

Step 12. Keep the schedule as “Always” (making the alarm available 24 houts /7), then press Next.

Note: you can modify the schedule if needed by selecting it and clicking on the “Edit” button.

Step 13. In the “Detail” section, be sure that everything has been correctly saved and then click on the “Finish” button to save the alarm.
 

Step 14. You will see the new alarm listed in the “Alarm List”.

Step 15. To control the wiper, go to the “Device Tree” in the LiveView and click on the “+” icon, you will see the list of available triggers in the device.

Step 16. Double click the “DO-1” to trigger the wiper.

Camera indicator is visible in device tree but display black images in the LiveClient

Why does VAST LiveClient do not display camera videos on certain computers, even though it shows the camera name and recording indicator?

Answer

This issue typically arises when the computer doesn’t support the default render mode that VAST employs. You may resolve this problem by updating your computer’s GPU drivers. Alternatively, you could adjust the render mode that VAST uses. In order to manually change the render mode please follow the next steps:

Step 1. Close the LiveClient application. Note: If the LiveClient is not closed, the changed wont be saved. 

Step 2. Go to the following folder: C:\ProgramData\VIVOTEK Inc\VAST\Client\LiveClient and using any editing tool (e.g Notepad++) open the following file: ClientSetting.ini. Once open, change the GDIOnly value to “1”

Step 3. After making the necessary changes, save the file. Close and then reopen the VAST LiveClient application. You should now be able to view the camera feeds.

Adding a substation to VAST

Introduction

This document describes how to easily add multiple cameras and ST7501- or VAST-based substations on other sites to a VAST server’s device list for centralized management.

How to add a substation to VAST

Please refer to the section “How to Manage Station” in the VAST user manual, which can be downloaded from the VIVOTEK website. You will find information on how to enable and configure the substation’s Relay feature (on either ST7501 or VAST) and how to add the substation to VAST’s device list for management.

How to manage substations

VAST supports the management of more than 64 cameras and multiple substations, allowing you to configure their settings and view video relayed from them.

1. Configuration
   1. To configure a substation, select its icon in the left panel of the LiveClient window and then click on the Configuration drop-down menu, or right-click on the icon and choose the setting page you desire from the pop-up contextual menu.
      
      Select the icon of the substation
      
      Click Configuration button to choose the settings page
      
      Right-click on the icon and choose the setting page
   2. To configure cameras connected directly to the central VAST server, select the icon for the main station in the left panel of the LiveClient window and then click on the Configuration drop-down menu or right-click on the icon and choose the setting page you desire from the pop-up contextual menu.
      
      Select and right click on the icon of the main station and choose the setting page
2. View cells: In the VAST LiveClient view cells, you can display video from a camera connected directly to the central VAST server and from a camera attached to a substation.
   

Troubleshooting

If you experience issues adding a substation to VAST’s device list, check the following areas.

1. Relay settings: Make sure that the Relay feature of the substation is enabled and that you are using the correct password. For additional information, refer to the section “How to Manage Station” in the VAST user manual.
2. If your VAST server is connected to the substation via Internet: Make sure that port 3454 (the port used for data communications) has been opened by the router on the substation side.
   
3. If your VAST server and substation are on the same LAN: Make sure that any firewall or anti-virus software on the substation PC is not blocking connections to port 3454.
   
   The following figures show an example using Microsoft Firewall of how to ensure port 3454 is available for connections.
   

Cannot visualize plate images in data magnet after upgrading the software

Cannot visualize plate images in data magnet after upgrading the VAST2 software to version 2.7.0.5800.

But the image can be visualized when accessing data magnet data in video cell.

Answer

This issue was caused by an internal error in one of the modules of version 2.7.0.5800 and was resolved in version 2.8.0.6700 (or above). Please upgrade the software to version 2.8.0.6700 or above in order to resolve this issue. It can be downloaded in the following link: https://www.vivotek.com/vast2#downloads. After upgrading you should be able to visualize the plates normally in the data magnet list.

What is the workflow of the Seamless Recording function?

In this article, we’ll be exploring in detail the seamless recording flow between a camera and the VAST software. Understanding this process is vital for optimizing your use of the system and troubleshooting potential issues.

Seamless Recording function:

Seamless recording refers to a continuous, uninterrupted process of capturing and storing video footage. Meaning that the camera and the VAST will work together to ensure there are no gaps in the recording timeline.

If there any gaps, the VAST server will simultaneously retrieve the time-tagged videos that were temporarily stored on SD/SDHC/SDXC cards.

VAST software behaviour:

• VAST retrieves lost recordings at 1X speed.
• Seamless recording demands twice the bandwidth as it involves simultaneous normal recording and retrieval.
• Seamless recording also necessitates twice the storage write speed.

For instance, if the recording stream bitrate is 2Mbps, during simultaneous normal recording and retrieval, VAST requires twice the bandwidth, amounting to 4Mbps in this scenario. This also means that a storage write speed of 4Mbps is required.

Seamless Recording Flow

On the camera side, the methods for identifying disconnecting and reconnecting differ.

• Disconnect:
  • TCP: If the camera does not receive a receiver report from VAST for 10 seconds, it will register as disconnected.
  • UDP: The camera sends a sender report every 7 seconds. If it does not receive a receiver report from VAST twice consecutively, it will register as disconnected.
• Connect:
  • VAST attempts to connect to the camera every 3 seconds using a GUID. If the GUID matches, the camera will register as connected.

Following this, lets see the following example. Suppose a camera is connected via TCP and UDP:

• For TCP: If the camera doesn’t hear from VAST for 10 seconds, it assumes it’s disconnected.
• For UDP: The camera sends a report every 7 seconds. If it doesn’t get a response from VAST twice in a row (around 14 seconds), it assumes it’s disconnected.

To reconnect, VAST tries every 3 seconds using a unique code (GUID). If the GUID is correct, the camera assumes it’s reconnected. In short, the camera and VAST constantly check in with each other. If they lose contact, they realize quickly and try to reconnect.

How to setup VAST Matrix?

ANSWER