Do you have a question about the ACTi INR-411 and is the answer not in the manual?
The ACTi INR-411 is a 256-Channel 12-Bay Rackmount Standalone Network Video Recorder (NVR) designed for robust video surveillance and management. This NVR system provides a comprehensive solution for recording, storing, and managing video streams from a large number of network cameras, offering both local interface and web client access for flexible operation.
The primary function of the INR-411 is to act as a central hub for a network video surveillance system. It records video continuously or based on scheduled events from up to 256 network cameras, storing the data on its 12-bay rackmount storage system. The NVR supports hardware RAID configuration, allowing users to create disk arrays for enhanced data redundancy and performance using a bundled software utility. This ensures that recorded data is protected against single disk failures and can be optimized for specific storage requirements.
The system is designed to be mounted on a standard server rack, occupying 2U (3.5") of vertical space, making it suitable for professional IT environments. It includes various ports for connectivity, such as USB ports for peripherals like a mouse, HDMI, DVI, or Display Port for monitor connection, and LAN ports for network connectivity to cameras and the broader network. Audio input/output ports are also available for comprehensive surveillance needs.
The INR-411 runs on a Windows operating system, providing a familiar interface for setup and management. It integrates with ACTi's NVR3 Administrator Tool for initial setup, including setting administrator passwords and managing user accounts and groups. The system also features a dedicated interface for configuring camera settings, recording schedules, and customizing live view layouts.
The INR-411 offers a user-friendly experience through its local interface, which is accessible via a connected monitor and USB mouse. The quick installation guide emphasizes a straightforward setup process, starting with hardware installation, including mounting the unit in a rack and installing hard disks. The hard disk installation process is detailed, guiding users through removing and mounting disks into the trays, ensuring proper alignment with SATA contacts.
For network integration, the NVR is designed to obtain an IP address automatically via DHCP, though users can also assign a static IP address through Windows' Network and Sharing Center. Once powered on, the system guides users through setting up a login password for Windows, which is crucial for security.
The NVR's software configuration includes creating disk volumes using Windows Disk Management. This step is essential for the NVR to recognize and utilize the available storage space. Users are guided to initialize disks, choose the GPT partition style, and create new volumes, with options for simple, striped, mirrored, or RAID-5 volumes depending on their needs. The process involves assigning drive letters and labels, such as "Recording Drive," to clearly identify storage for video data.
Camera management is a core feature, allowing users to add cameras through various search methods: "Hybrid Search" for automatic discovery of all available cameras, "ONVIF Search" for ONVIF-compliant cameras, or "Add Camera Manually" for cameras in different networks. The manual addition option requires users to input media type, protocol, IP address, HTTP port, account, and password. Once cameras are added, their settings can be configured, including basic video, audio, PTZ, and preset tour options.
Recording schedule customization is another key usage feature. The NVR automatically starts full-time recording for newly added cameras, but users can modify this to "Schedule Recording" for continuous recording during defined sessions or "Event Recording" for recording triggered by specific events like motion detection. The intuitive time table allows users to drag and define recording sessions easily.
The NVR also provides extensive view customization options. Users can create new layouts for live viewing, select different layout styles, and add camera or map views to channels. The ability to adjust channel sizes and save custom views, along with setting a default view, enhances operational flexibility. Validation features allow users to check live streaming of all channels and review recorded video through the playback page, navigating through recorded content using a time bar.
While the manual primarily focuses on initial setup and usage, several aspects contribute to the maintainability of the INR-411. The rackmount design facilitates organized installation and access within a server environment, which simplifies physical maintenance tasks. The 12-bay design for hard disks allows for easy hot-swapping or replacement of individual drives, especially when configured in RAID arrays, minimizing downtime and data loss. The detailed instructions for hard disk installation ensure that replacements or upgrades can be performed correctly.
The software utility for hardware RAID configuration is a significant maintenance feature, enabling proactive management of storage health and performance. Users can monitor disk status and perform necessary actions to maintain data integrity. The system's reliance on Windows Disk Management for volume creation provides standard tools for managing storage partitions, which is familiar to IT professionals.
User account and group management, accessible through the NVR3 Administrator Tool, allows administrators to control access permissions, ensuring system security and accountability. The ability to set and change administrator passwords and manage user credentials is a fundamental security and maintenance practice.
The continuous product improvements mentioned in the manual, along with the availability of the latest user documentation on the ACTi corporate website, are crucial for long-term maintenance. This ensures that users have access to updated information, troubleshooting guides, and potential software updates that can enhance system stability, performance, and security. The ACTi Customer Help Desk platform is also highlighted as a resource for technical support, providing a channel for users to contact engineers for assistance during system installation and operation. This support infrastructure is vital for addressing any issues that may arise, contributing to the overall reliability and longevity of the NVR system.
| Video Compression | H.264 |
|---|---|
| Audio Compression | G.711 |
| Maximum Resolution | 1920 x 1080 |
| Frame Rate | 30 fps |
| Network Interface | 1 x RJ-45 10/100/1000 Mbps |
| Power Supply | 12V DC |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to 40°C |
| Maximum Number of Channels | 4 |
| Weight | 1.5 kg |
| Recording Resolution | 1080p, 720p, D1 |
| Hard Drive | 1 x SATA interface |