14  Using the Main Menu

To open the Main Menu:
• Using the Mouse: Right-click and click Main Menu.

PLAYBACK: Open Search/Playback mode. For details, see
BACKUP: Export files to USB device. For details, see 12 Backup .
CAMERA: Open the menu to manage IP cameras connected to the network (see 5.11 Connecting Cameras to the Local Area Network (LAN) for details), set recording parameters, and assign custom titles for your cameras.
INFO: View system information.
SETTING: Configure general system, schedule, network, recording, display, and motion settings. Restore system to factory defaults.
SHUTDOWN: Logout, restart, or shutdown the system.

14.1  Camera

14.1.6  Configuring Recording Quality

The system employs two video recording streams, a Main Stream and a Sub Stream. The Main Stream records high quality video to your system’s hard drive. The Sub Stream records lower resolution video for efficient streaming to devices over the Internet. You can customize the video quality settings for these streams according to your needs.

	Note
For select cameras, you can configure the live video stream to Display Stream. You can view display stream only in multiple channel live view. It is recommended to set the resolution to 704x480(D1).

To configure recording quality:
From the Main Menu, click and select Recording>Recording.
Under Channel, select the camera you would like to configure.
Under Type, select the recording type you want to configure the recording quality settings for.
Configure the following settings. Settings for the Main Stream are in the left column. Settings for the Sub Stream are in the right column.
	Note
For select cameras, you can configure settings for display stream on the right column.
• Compression: Select the video compression type that will be used. For H.265 compatible cameras, it is recommended to select H.265, as it will have the best performance and use the least amount of disk space.
• Resolution: Select the resolution that you want to use to record the selected channel. Higher resolutions create a more detailed image, but take up more hard drive space to record and require more bandwidth to stream to connected computers or mobile devices.

  	Note
  Available resolutions for the Main Stream and Sub Stream depend on the model of camera that is connected to the system.

• Frame Rate (FPS): Select the frame rate in Frames Per Second (FPS) that each stream will record at. A higher frame rate provides a smoother picture, but requires more storage and bandwidth.
• Bit Rate Type: Select CBR (Constant Bit Rate) or VBR (Variable Bit Rate) to determine the bit rate type. If you select VBR, select the Quality from 1 (lowest) to 6 (highest).
• Bit Rate (Kbps): Select the bit rate for each recording stream. A higher bit rate results in a better image, but increases the amount of hard drive space or bandwidth required.
	Note
Only select cameras support the Audio/Video setting.
(Optional) Click the Copy button to copy recording settings to other channels.
Click OK to save changes.

14.1.7  Configuring Snapshot Recording Settings

The system can be set to record snapshot images when a camera detects motion. These snapshots can be viewed through the Search menu or can be attached to email alerts and push notifications. The Snapshot tab in the Recording menu controls the quality and recording parameters for each camera.

	Note
In order to enable Snapshot recording, the following menu options must be configured: The Snapshot schedule must be enabled for times that you would like to save snapshots. See 14.3.16 Configuring the Snapshot Schedule . Snapshot recording must be enabled for motion detection in the Event menu. See 14.3.7 Configuring Motion Detection .

To configure snapshot recording settings:
From the Main Menu, click and select Recording>Snapshot.
Under Snapshot, select the number of snapshots the system will take when the snapshot button is pressed.
Configure the following settings for snapshots saved automatically from motion detection or the snapshot schedule:
• Snapshot: Select the number of snapshots (up to 5) the system will take each time.
• Channel: Select the channel you would like to configure.
• Mode: Select Timing for the system to take snapshots according to the snapshot schedule (see 14.3.16 Configuring the Snapshot Schedule ) Select Trigger for the system to take snapshots only when triggered by motion detection (snapshot must be enabled in the Motion Detect menu; see 14.3.7 Configuring Motion Detection ).
• Image Size: The image size is the same as the Main Stream resolution of the camera.
• Image Quality: Select the snapshot image quality between 1 (lowest) and 6 (highest)
Click OK to save changes.

14.2  Info

14.2.1  HDD Info

The HDD Info sub-menu shows information related to the hard drives installed in the system, including capacity, status, and type.

To access the HDD Info menu:
• From the Main Menu, click and then click Info>HDD Info.

14.2.2  Record Info

The Record Info menu shows the start and end times of recordings saved on the hard drive.

To access the Record Info menu:
• From the Main Menu, click and then select Info>Record Info.

14.2.3  Version

The Version sub-menu allows you to view information about the current firmware installed on the system.

To access the Version menu:
• From the Main Menu, click and then click Info>Version.

14.2.4  Event Info

The Event Info menu shows you a display of system alarms. Activated alarms are highlighted in white. Additional info such as channels that are currently detecting motion is shown.

The following alarms are shown in the Alarm Status menu:
• No HDD: No hard drive is detected.
• Disk Error: Hard drive error detected.
• Disk Full: Hard drive is full.
• IP Conflict: More than one device on the network is using the same IP address.
• Net Conflict: System is not connected to the network.
• MAC Conflict: More than one device on the network is using the same MAC address.
• Video Loss: Shows disconnected channels.
• Tampering: Camera tampering alarm has been triggered (e.g. someone has tampered with the camera)
• Motion Detect: Shows channels with active motion alarms.

To access the Event Info menu:
• From the Main Menu, click and then select Event.

14.2.5  Online Users

The Online Users menu shows a list of users connected to the system using computers or mobile devices.

To access Online Users:
• From the Main Menu, click and then select Network.

14.2.6  Load

The Load menu shows you the network traffic your system is sending and receiving.

To access Load:
• From the Main Menu, click and then select Network>Load.

14.2.7  Test

The Test menu allows you to test if your system can connect to other devices over the LAN or Internet. You can enter the IP address of a device and click Test to determine if your system can connect to it.

To access Test:
• From the Main Menu, click and then select Network>Test.

14.2.8  BPS

The BPS sub-menu shows the bitrates of connected cameras. The bitrate is the amount of data the camera is sending to the system.

To access BPS:
• From the Main Menu, click and then select BPS.

14.2.9  Log

The Log sub-menu allows you to search for system logs.

To search for system logs:
From the Main Menu, click and then select Log.
Under Type, select the log type to search for.
Under Start Time and End Time, select the start and end time for your search.
Click Search.
(Optional) Click Backup to export logs to a USB thumb drive connected to the system.

14.3  Setting

14.3.4  Configuring Email Alerts

You can configure the system to send out email alerts for motion detection or other events.

	Note
To send out motion detection alerts, you must enable the Send Email option for motion detection on each camera you would to receive alerts from. For details, see 14.3.7 Configuring Motion Detection .

To configure Email Alerts:
From the Main Menu, click and then select Network>Email.
Check Enable to enable email notifications.

If you want to use Lorex’s email server (recommended):
Under Mail Select, select Lorex Mail to use the Lorex email server to send out alarm notifications. This is the recommended setting.
Configure the following:
• Email Schedule: Configure time periods during which email alerts will be sent.
• Receiver: Enter the email address that will receive alerts.
• Sender: Enter the sender’s email address.
• Subject: Enter the subject line for the email alert.
• Attachment: Check to include a jpg image attachment of the camera.

  	Note
  You must enable the Snapshot option for motion detection on each camera you would to receive attachments. For details, see 14.3.7 Configuring Motion Detection .

• Interval: Enter the interval between alert emails.
• Health Enable: Check to enable health check emails. Health check emails will be sent periodically to ensure that the system is functioning normally. If you enable health check emails, enter the Interval in minutes.
Click Test to send a test email.
Click OK to save settings.

If you want to use your own email server (advanced):
Configure the following:
• SMTP Server: Enter the SMTP server address.
• Port: Enter the port used by the SMTP server.
• Anonymous: Check if your server supports anonymous log ins. Otherwise, leave this unchecked.
• User: Enter the SMTP user name.
• Password: Enter the SMTP password.
• Receiver: Enter the email address that will receive alerts.
• Sender: Enter the sender’s email address.
• Subject: Enter the subject line for the email alert.
• Attachment: Check to include a jpg image attachment of the camera.

  	Note
  You must enable the Snapshot option for motion detection on each camera you would to receive attachments. For details, see 14.3.7 Configuring Motion Detection .

• Encrypt Type: Select SSL or TLS if your server uses encryption. Select None if your server does not use encryption.
• Interval: Enter the interval between alert emails.
• Health Enable: Check to enable health check emails. Health check emails will be sent periodically to ensure that the system is functioning normally. Also, enter the interval in minutes for health check emails.
Click Test to send a test email.
Click OK to save settings.

14.3.5  Configuring Switch Settings (Advanced)

You can configure the networking settings for the internal PoE switch.

	CAUTION
It is recommended to leave this menu on the default settings. Changing the information in this menu may disrupt the connection to the cameras.

To configure switch settings:
From live view, right-click and select Main Menu.
Click >Network>Switch .
Configure the IP Address, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway for the internal PoE switch.
Click OK. Click Save to save changes. The system will restart.

14.3.6  Event

The Event menu allows you to configure settings for motion detection, video loss, and system warnings.

	Note
For deterrence cameras only — You can set preferences for automatic warning lights to trigger on compatible Lorex deterrence cameras.

14.3.7  Configuring Motion Detection

Motion Detection events allow the system to mark footage that has motion. This allows you to quickly locate relevant footage through Search. You can also configure system responses to motion detection events, such as activating the system buzzer or sending an email alert.

To configure Motion Detection events:

From the Main Menu, click and then click Event>Motion>Motion Detect.
Under Channel, select the channel you would like to configure.
Check Enable to enable motion detection on the selected channel.
Click Set next to Region to configure which areas of the image will be enabled for motion detection. A grid will appear over the camera’s live view.
Motion Grid
• Areas enabled for motion detection are shown in color and areas that are disabled are transparent.
• Hover the mouse at the top of the screen to select which motion area you would like to configure. You can set up to 4 motion detection areas and customize the sensitivity and threshold for motion detection separately for each area between 0 (lowest) and 100 (highest).
• The Sensitivity determines how sensitive the camera is to motion. For example, if the sensitivity is high, small amounts of motion are more likely to trigger an event. It is recommended to select a Sensitivity between 30~70.
• The Threshold determines how much motion is required to trigger an event. If the amount of motion exceeds the threshold, an event occurs. It is recommended to select a Threshold between 10~50.
• Right-click when finished.
	Note
It is recommended to have a second person walk in front of the camera to test different Sensitivity and Threshold settings to determine the best setting for your camera’s location.
Under Post_REC, enter the time the system will record after a motion event occurs.
To configure a schedule when motion detection will be enabled on this channel, click Set next to Period. Configure times when motion detection will be enabled. For example, you may want to disable motion detection during business hours and enable it outside of business hours. Click OK when finished.
	Note
This setting can override scheduled motion recording. This means that motion recording will only take place at times that are enabled both in the Schedule menu and here.
Configure the following system actions when motion is detected:
• Show Message: Check to enable an on-screen pop-up when one of your cameras detects motion. On-screen pop-up shows the channels an event occurred on and the type of event.
• Send Email: Check to enable email alerts. You must configure email alerts before you will be able to receive them (see 14.3.4 Configuring Email Alerts ).
• Channels: Select the channels that will record when motion is detected on the selected channel.
• PTZ Activation: Check to enable PTZ actions when motion is detected (PTZ camera required; not included). Click Set to select which PTZ actions will be taken by each camera.
• Sequence: Check to enable a custom sequence mode when motion is detected on the selected channel. Then click the channels you would like to display in the custom sequence mode.
• Snapshot: Check to save a snapshot when the camera detects motion.
• Log Enable: Check to activate log.
• Buzzer: Check to enable the system buzzer.
Click OK to save changes.

14.3.13  Storage

The Storage menu allows you to configure the recording schedule and hard drives connected to the system.

14.3.14  Configuring the Video Recording Schedule

You can set a custom recording schedule according to your needs. For example, you can set the system to record continuously during business hours and record on motion detection only outside of business hours.

A custom recording schedule helps reduce the amount of hard drive space required, increasing the time your system can retain recordings.

To configure the video recording schedule:

From the Main Menu, click and then click Storage>Schedule>Record.
Under Channel, select the channel you would like to configure or select All.
Configure the schedule as needed:
• Check Continuous or Motion to select the recording type you would like to configure.
• Click and drag on each day to customize the recording schedule. The schedule is set up as a grid, with each block representing one hour.
• Click next to All to link the recording schedules for all days. The icon for a day changes to when days are linked. You can also click the boxes next to individual days to link them to each other. If the recording schedule is linked, changes made to one of the days will apply to every day that is linked.
• Click to disable all recording of the selected type on the selected day.
• Click if you need to set a more precise schedule down to the minute.
Click OK to save changes.

14.3.15  Configuring Pre-Recording

The system can pre-record video when motion detection events occur.

To configure pre-recording:
From the Main Menu, click and then click Storage>Schedule>Record.
Under Channel, select the camera you would like to configure or select All.
Under PreRecord, select the duration for pre-recording.
Click OK to save settings.

14.3.16  Configuring the Snapshot Schedule

You can set a schedule for recording snapshots from the cameras.

To set up the snapshot schedule:

From the Main Menu, click and then click Storage>Schedule>Snapshot.
Under Channel, select the channel you would like to configure or select All.
Configure the schedule as needed:
• Check Continuous or Motion to select the recording type you would like to configure.
• Click and drag on each day to customize the recording schedule. The schedule is set up as a grid, which each block representing one hour.
• Click next to All to link the recording schedules for all days. The icon for a day changes to when it is linked. You can also click the boxes next to individual days to link them to each other. If the recording schedule is linked, changes made to one of the days will apply to every day that is linked.
• Click to disable all recording of the selected type on the selected day.
• Click if you need to set a more precise schedule down to the minute.
Click OK to save changes.

14.3.17  Configuring Hard Drive Groups (Advanced)

Hard drive groups allow you to balance recordings across multiple hard drives. For example, you can record channels 1~4 to one hard drive and 4~8 to a second hard drive. This can reduce the amount of wear on the hard drives and may extend the life of the hard drives.

	Note
Two hard drives must be installed in the system to use hard drive groups, and both hard drives must be formatted as Read-write hard drives. For details on installing hard drives, see 18 Hard Drive Installation .

To configure hard drive groups:
From the Main Menu, click and then click Storage>HDD Advance>HDD Setting.
Under HDD Group, assign a group to each hard drive. To set up two hard drive groups, assign one hard drive to group 1 and the other to group 2.

Click OK. The system will restart to apply changes.
When the system restarts, you must decide which channels will record to each hard drive group.
From the Main Menu, click and then click Storage>HDD Advance>Main Stream. For each channel, select the hard drive group you would like to record the main stream (high quality) video and then click Apply.

Click the Sub Stream tab. For each channel, select the hard drive group you would like to record the sub stream (reduced quality) video and then click Apply.

Click the Pic tab. For each channel, select the hard drive group you would like to record snap shots and then click Apply.

14.3.18  Configuring Holidays

You can set certain days as holidays. Holidays have a special recording schedule.

To configure holidays:

From the Main Menu, click and then click Setting>General>Holiday.

Click Add New Holidays.

Configure the following:

• Holiday Name: Enter a name for this holiday.
• Repeat Mode: Select Once for the holiday to occur only this year or Always for the holiday to be repeated each year.
• Holiday Range: Select Date to select a specific date, or select Week to select holidays based on which week they fall on.

Click Add. Now that you have added a holiday, an extra holiday setting is added to the recording schedule.

	Note
You cannot delete holidays, but you can disable them by selecting Close under the Status drop-down and then click Apply.

14.3.19  Formatting the Hard Drive

The HDD Manager menu allows you to format the hard drive. If you install a new hard drive, you must format the hard drive using the system before you will be able to record.

To format the hard drive:
	CAUTION
Formatting the hard drive erases all data on the hard drive. This step cannot be undone.
From the Main Menu, click and then click Storage>HDD Manager.
Select the hard dive you would like to format and then click Format. Click OK to confirm.
Click OK to save changes. The system will restart to complete the formatting process.

14.3.20  Configuring Hard Drive Type

The system supports the following hard drive types:

• Read/Write: Normal recording hard drive.
• Read only: The system can playback data from this hard drive, but it will not record to it.
• Mirror: The hard drive will be used for mirror recording only. You must set up mirroring recording before this feature will work.

To set the hard drive type:

From the Main Menu, click and then click Storage>HDD Manager.
Click the hard drive you would like to configure.
Choose the hard drive type under Type.
Click OK to save changes. The system will restart to complete this operation.

14.3.21  Setting up Hard Drive Mirroring (Advanced)

A mirror hard drive can be used to automatically backup video footage recorded to the recording (read/write) hard drive. When a mirroring hard drive is installed, the system can be set to record cameras in parallel to both the recording hard drive and the mirror hard drive. This way, the footage is automatically backed up if the recording hard drive fails.

How hard drive mirroring works:

Security system
Primary hard drive
Mirror hard drive

	Note
The mirror hard drive must be as large or larger than primary hard drive to backup all recordings. HDD mirroring begins from when mirror hard drive is installed and configured. Two hard drives must be installed in the system to use HDD mirroring. For details on installing hard drives, see 18 Hard Drive Installation .

To set up hard drive mirroring:
From the Main Menu, click and then click Storage>HDD Manager.
Click the Type drop-down under the second hard drive and select Mirror.

	CAUTION
Setting a hard drive for mirroring erases all data on the hard drive. This step cannot be undone.
Click OK to apply changes. Click Yes to confirm. The system will format the hard drive and restart.
When the system restarts, click and then click Storage>Schedule>Record.
Under Channel, select the channel you would like to enable for mirror recording, then check Mirror. Repeat the process for any additional channels.

Click OK to save changes.

14.3.23  Setting the Monitor Resolution (Display)

The Display menu allows you to configure the systems monitor resolution and other display settings.

To set the monitor resolution:
From the Main Menu, click and then click Setting>Display>Display.
Under Resolution, select the correct resolution for your monitor.
Click OK to save changes. Click OK again to restart the system using the new resolution.

To configure other display settings:
From the Main Menu, click and then click Setting>Display>Display.
Configure the following:
• Transparency: Select the menu transparency.
• Time Display: Check to show the time on the monitor.
• Channel Display: Check to show the channel names on the monitor.
• Image Enhance: Check for the system to digitally improve the video quality on the live display. This setting does not affect recordings.
• Original Scale: Set the system to show the true aspect ratio of the cameras on the live display. This may add black bars on the top and bottom of the image.
Click OK to save changes.

14.3.24  Saving Your System Configuration to a USB Thumb Drive

The system allows you to save your current system configuration to a USB thumb drive (not included). This is useful if you want to backup your current settings.

	Note
This function only saves settings created in system menus. It does not save or backup any video.

To save your system configuration to a USB thumb drive:
Insert a USB thumb drive (not included) into one of the USB ports.
From the Main Menu, click and then click Setting>Config Backup.
Under Device Model, select the USB device where you would like to save the configuration.
Click EXPORT to save your current system configuration.

To restore a saved system configuration:
Insert a USB thumb drive (not included) with a saved system configuration into one of the USB ports.
From the Main Menu, click and then click Setting>Config Backup.
Under Device Model, select the USB device.
Click the folder with the configuration files you would like to restore. Configuration file folders are labeled “Config” and then the time and date the configuration was saved (e.g. Config_20140425103727).
Click Import to restore the system configuration.
Click OK to confirm. The system will restart to complete the operation.

14.3.25  Setting the System to Factory Defaults

The Default menu allows you to reset the system to factory default settings.

To reset the system to factory default settings:
From the Main Menu, click and then click Setting>Default.
Check the menus you would like to reset to default settings.
Click OK.