downloadable instructions for "dummies"?

[zman1]

i could use some basic programming instructions for my new system, available?

[Schorschi]

Well, there is the User Guide, but it might do more harm than good, because it's a bit outdated by now. and I don't think an up-to-date version is currently available. Some things have changed in the user interface and those will look different now from the User Guide.

You could always ask specific questions here and other forum members will help out.

As for programming your cameras: newbies seem to struggle with the concept of modes, rules and the schedule.

Let me try to break it down for you.

A mode is a state in which you can program which cameras should be turned on (i.e. set to detect motion) and which should be turned off. Determining which cameras should be programmed to detect motion in a specific mode is done via rules that are contained in that mode. In a mode you only create rules for cameras that you want to set to detect motion. If you don't want a camera to detect motion in a certain mode, you simply don't create a rule for it.

You create your (multiple) modes that way and then schedule each mode for a specific day and time window in the scheduler. No more than one mode can be active at any given time. For periods during which you don't want any cameras to be set to detect motion, you simply don't schedule any modes during those periods.

So, for example, let's say you have four cameras A, B, C and D.

Let's assume you wanted to have cameras A and B in motion detection mode from 8 to 10 a.m. and cameras C and D on between 9 and 11 a.m. So, there is an overlap time frame here, namely between the hours of 9 and 10 during which all cameras are on.

So, what you need to do is create three modes as follows:

1. Mode #1: Cameras A and B to detect motion. This mode will be active from 8 to 9 a.m.
2. Mode #2: Cameras A, B, C and D to detect motion. This mode will be active from 9 to 10 a.m.
3. Mode #3: Cameras C and D to detect motion. This mode will be active from 10 to 11 a.m.

So, in mode #1 you will have two rules: one for camera A and one for camera B. In mode #2 you will have four rules, one for each camera A, B, C and D. In mode #3 you have again two rules, one for camera C and one for camera D.

Once you have created all three modes you proceed to go in the scheduler and program each mode according to the time frames given above in the numbered list. Voila.

Hope that answered the bulk of your question on programming. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.

[JamesC]

zman1,

We are working to get the online user manual Schorschi is referring to up to date. Please ask the community any additional questions you may have.

JamesC