Ingper 0 Posted July 6, 2009 I want to (automatically) disable the DVR/recordings when I'm home in a simple way, i.e. when my burglar alarm are in no-armed mode. I thought pin 14, "Alarm Reset" could be used for that. But it has no effect at all - the recording starts when triggered even when pin is wired to GND. I've also tried to ground pin 14 during an alarm, but still nothing happens - the alarm output relay will not reset, nor the DVR will stop recording. The cameras are trigged with motion detect. I have upgraded to last SW (from 2020 to 2030...) with no difference. Have I misunderstood the function of pin 14 ? Isn't the pin usable to disable DVR alarm functionality ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dvrtiger 0 Posted July 6, 2009 Well, I don't use that function that much, but it seems to me that it only resets alarm function and buzzer of dvr...it doesn't affect recording. Pins 1 & 2 (RS 232) and 10 &11 (RS485) are used for external dvr control. Your problem could be solved with a simple electronic circuit but I don't know what's your level of electronics skills... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ingper 0 Posted July 6, 2009 Ok. I haven't checked the buzzer (it's disabled due to sleeping children ), but it doesn't release the alarm output relay or seems to do anything else either. I found a manual for AVC760-762, that differs from my user manual. It says that pin 14 is unconnected (page 51). Maybe I have a 760's without "Alarm reset" functionality . I have no problem making an electronic circuit - with or without a small CPU (i.e. PIC, AVR) - that can send some RS232 commands via the serial interface of DVR if that is the solution. But were can I find the protocol ? To be useful I think it must do something more than just simulate the keys on the front. (Because I'm new I'm not allowed to post a link to the manual above. The link to the manual is w*ww.securicorp.*com/cctv-downloads/avc760-762_manual.*pdf, delete the * in address) EDIT: I have now tested with buzzer enabled. Grounding pin#14 doesn't affect the buzzer on my AVC760.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dvrtiger 0 Posted July 7, 2009 You don't need anything so fancy as microcontroller You could make a simple logic flip-flop like circuit and connect it parallel to stop and start record keys. Trigger signal would be from your alarm board-when you deactivate house alarm signal would provide impulse for record stop and vice versa. Just play a little You could use some of the unused pins on dvr for that, and there's a lot of space inside to place this tiny circuit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ingper 0 Posted July 7, 2009 Thank you for the answer. I've done that circuit a lot of times when remote controlling CD:s from audio mixers etc. But I don't think it's that simple. I have no keys on my 760 that can turn event record on or off. For example, the REC button only seems to enable (immediate) manual recording, and the only (!) way to stop that recording is by disabling "Manual recording" through the menu. STOP key has no effect, and seems only to be used in playback mode. Maybe I was a little bit unclear - I want to inhibit all recordings when we are home, and have normal functionality (i.e. Event recording, not continuesly) when we are away and the burglar alarm are in armed mode. Hope there is a better way than simulate keystrokes to go through the menu.... (Yes, I have thought about cutting off the camera power when we are home. But it's not a nice solution) Any suggestions ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dvrtiger 0 Posted July 8, 2009 Yes, I've understood that you want to stop recording while you're at home. Record is enabled or disabled with the same key, REC, as I recall. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kiwi 0 Posted July 11, 2009 From my knowledge of my AVC782 I don't think there is a clean way to do this. The alarm reset has perplexed me also as to it's purpose but I thinking it might reset the alarm LED and/or the icon in the remote viewer. I don't see a problem simply dropping power to the cameras if that will functionally do what you want. Even the entire DVR could probably handle a power cycle once a day, as brutal as it sounds. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dvrtiger 0 Posted July 11, 2009 Such a brutal power on/off procedure is not very 'healthy' for DVR or cameras... it can shorten life span of the hard drive or even damage EEPROM... some cameras, like gantz or sanyo, are quite prone to failures caused by sudden power on/off Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kiwi 0 Posted July 11, 2009 I find that rather hard to believe. How does the device know that a loss of power is "brutal" or not? What is "sudden" power removal as opposed to normal power removal? Should we just drop the voltage a bit at first to drop a hint or do I need to send an email first? Properly-design industrial products should have no problem with the method implied of power removal obtained with a relay off an alarm system. If certain cameras are prone to failure from power loss that should be a strong hint to buy another brand! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dvrtiger 0 Posted July 12, 2009 Oh, electronics can distinguish hard and soft power off very easy You see, power on/off button on modern electronics is not a switch directly connected to the mains power supply, it's some form of pushbutton or tact switch. Touching that switch produces impulse for microcontroller which then starts the shut down procedure (stops recording, stops hard drive, etc...). After this process, which lasts for a fragment of sec, controller cuts the power off by means of a relay... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scorpion 0 Posted July 12, 2009 (edited) The DVR motion detection circuit is working the recording. You need to use real motion detectors such as burglar alarm style, or optex outdoor style to trigger the recording. When you "come home" then the "on/off" switch powers the 12 volts to the motion detectors (or beam detectors). Now you have a simple way of starting, and ending your recording sessions. This will allow you to have some cameras recording all of the time if you need, and your inside cameras not to record. You could also install a door latch switch. When you open a dead bolt the switch detects the latch movement, and then this is tied in to a circuit to disable your recording. When you leave, and lock the deadbolt then you are automatically recording without having to hit any switch at all. I guess you could tie in to your burglar alarm system as well. When you hit "AWAY" it turns on your recording. What do you guys think? Edited July 12, 2009 by Guest Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dvrtiger 0 Posted July 12, 2009 Yes, I think it would do the trick. It's similar to my proposal, but with external switch. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
