Genius Vision Known Issues

Due to the fact that Google Map API has been changed several time, and Internet Explorer SDK, which Genius Vision employs to embed Google Map has been obsoleted by Google, you may receive script error when using Google Map.

Due to several architectural issue involved, there is currently no plan to fix this issue. Google Map can be considered as a deprecated function, and it will be removed from the NVR software in the future.

Symptoms

You may receive script error (such as the screenshot below) when using Google Map.

Workaround

There is no known workaround. However, you may choose to use Genius Vision internal map function to replace such function.

Issue: Windows depreciated ActiveX controls signed with SHA-1 certificate

First Occurrence

2016/1/1

Affected Functions

Genius Vision ActiveX control.

Status

Fixed in 927.

Overview

It has come to our attention that Microsoft has enforced a policy, that starting from 2016/1/1, all ActiveX controls with SHA-1 certificate will be marked as not-allow-to-use in Internet Explorer.

The only way to fix it is to upgrade to a newer version of software, which is signed by certificate with SHA-2, in order to comply with this new policy.

Genius Vision code signing certificate has been updated to use SHA-2 since version 927.

Symptoms

You will receive following errors, when trying to use ActiveX control in Internet Explorer:

Workaround

There is no known workaround.

It's speculated that if you use Windows 10, you will receive this error. If you use older version of Windows, such as Windows 7, and you keep Windows Update disabled, you might not receive such error.

Issue: IE full console not working

First Occurrence

Version 920

Affected Functions

IE full console

Status

Fixed in version 927

Symptoms

When clicking 'Connect Full Console' in ActiveX control, nothing happens.

Workaround

Install NVR client application and use 'Connect to remote NVR' function.

See also

How to connect to remote NVR

Technical Detail (internal)

Services are registered (RegisterServiceFactory) in 2 files; NvrSysBase.cpp and NvrSystem.cpp. Services registered in NvrSystem.cpp are only accessible in server and WinHttpServices is one of these server-only services. IE full console did not use WinHttpServices before. With the introduction of MobilePush, local console uses WinHttpServices and error occurrs since it's not available in client. To fix this, WinHttpServices registration was moved from NvrSystem.cpp (server only) to NvrSysBase.cpp (server and client).

Add 'Folder' for Dropbox

Added

Version 927

Purpose

Video snapshots uploaded to Dropbox could be difficult to manage if there are multiple Dropbox items, especially in CMS with many NVRs. Folder option is added so user can manage uploads with folder names of their choice.

Usage

Input folder name in the field 'Folder' and video snapshots will be uploaded correspondingly.

Enable user/usergroup management in simple console (ActiveX control)

Added

Version 927

Purpose

Console config invoked in ActiveX control did not have user/usergroup tabs. Sometime systems are designed in a way that end-users can only access NVR with ActiveX control and they are unable to manage user/usergroup. So the tabs are added.

Usage

User/usergroup tabs are added ActiveX control and operations are completely the same as system configuration dialog in full console.

See also

Permission control overview

Issue: ONVIF StreamUri encoding

First Occurrence

All active versions

Affected Functions

ONVIF driver, with certain cameras

Status

Fixed in version 927

Symptoms

If StreamUri returned by a camera contains '&', NVR cannot parse it correctly and video won't be streamed.

Workaround

Manually input RTSP UrlPath.

Add Dropbox integration to upload video snapshots

Added

Version 926

Purpose

To upload video snapshots and to be accessed anywhere. It functions very similary to FTP.

Usage

How to automatically upload video snapshots to Dropbox

Issue: Hotkey still accessible in lock console mode

First Occurrence

All active versions

Affected Functions

Lock console mode

Status

Fixed in version 926

Symptoms

When users press F12 to lock console, they can still use keyboard to control players or invoke dialogs and change something.

Workaround

Physically lock keyboard in a tray.

Include Packet Buffer Overflow in NotificationCenter

Added

Version 925

Usage

See also

How to deal with corrupted video image at bottom? (PacketBufSize Issue)

Include Password Wizard in NotificationCenter

Added

Version 925

Usage

See also

Issue: Trigger Policy Not Saving

First Occurrence

Version 923

Affected Functions

Trigger Policy

Status

Fixed in 925

Symptoms

Trigger Policy cannot be saved. Nothing happens when trying to save.

Workaround

None.

Technical Detail (internal)

The issue is introduced in commit 9239a20e. Local Class of Trigger Policy TvDialog is replaced by NotificationCenterDialog by mistake. The two dialogs has no connection at all and this line should not have been here.

Include corrupted briefcase items in Notification Center

Added

Version 924

Purpose

Some briefcase items are associated with files and if the file is missing or cannor be opend for any reason, the briefcase item is broken.

Screenshot

Usage

When users try to access any of the corrupted items, Notification Center pops up to inform users. Users can delete the corrupted items to prevent future use of the items or ignore this alert.

Fix a pointer bug in Ds_XmlFileDLTask

First Occurrence

All active versions

Affected Functions

Data entries with files: Pattern, PatternSet, File

Technical Detail

Com_DataEntryRec for Ds_XmlFileDLTask is pointer instead of auto pointer and the content could change and crash when trying to access it.

Fix a bug regarding updating MobilePush item

First Occurrence

Version 920

Affected Functions

Mobile Push

Status

Fixed in 924

Symptoms

Disabling a Mobile Push item won't take effect without NVR reboot.

Technical Detail

The flag 'Disabled' for Mobile Push is checked in initializeMobilePush() but not in updateMobilePush().

Notification Center

Added

Version 923

Purpose

Notification Center is a dialog to manage all kinds of notification and warning. As of version 923 only storage warning and Welcome Guide are included. There will be more in the future including out-of-memory, RTSP packet buffer overflow, default password not changed, corrupted disk...

Usage

Notification Center pops up automatically if there's anything that requires users to see. Non-critical messages can be dismissed by checking 'Do NOT show…' checkbox.

Simplified storage config

Added

Version 923

Purpose

For simple and small scale NVR, users can quickly select a disk for recording, leaving all the advanced parameters behind.

Usage

Simplified storage config is included in Notification Center and it pops up automatically if storage is not configured yet. Users can still access the advanced storage config.

See also

Introduction to NVR Recording and Storage

User privilege to change his/her own password

Added

Version 923

Purpose

Before version 923, only users with admintrative privilege can change passwords of any user. Now administrator can grant the privilege of changing password to any user. In Users Groups config, under Operation View-> Manage, check Self (Password) and any user in this group can change his/her own password. Administrators can not see the new password but they can always disable or delete the user, or change their privileges or groups..

Usage

Please view the following video tutorial.

See also

Genius Vision tutorial: Users and user groups

User Sponsor Notice can be dismissed in small screen

Added

Version 923

Purpose

An alternative button is added to dismiss community sponsorship banner for small display that can not access the original dismiss button to the right.

See also

Options to help Genius Vision Community Edition with your own efforts

Wipe client config to workaround client crash

Sometimes a previously working client crashes on startup. The first thing to suspect is corrupted config. To confirm the issue or to fix it, users can clear client config. To clear client config, follow the step below...

Open Windows File Explorer and goto...

%appdata%\GeniusVision

You will see some .dbx files. GeniusVision_LocalClient.dbx is client config if you use system tray icon to invoke client. Rename the file and you will have a clean startup of client.

If you use Connection Agent to invoke clients, rename config files GeniusVision_RemoteClient*.dbx. The number before .dbx is the profile number.

Exporting online license is no longer allowed

Added

Version 922

Purpose

Exporting online license is pointless as they can always be installed on a new machine. License export/import is designed for backup/restore of offline (bound, comitted) license. And restoring online license after comitting is not possible. Online license is managed by license server and the act to commit tells the license server that the code is no longer managed by license server. So even if the online license is restored, license server no longer validate it, making the license unusable.

To backup/restore license, users must backup only offline license. After version 922, there's mistake-proofing prevent users from exporting online license.

See also

Should I backup license before or after committing?

Issue: Welcome screen will not be dismissed when instructed to

First Occurrence

Version 920

Status

Fixed in version 922

Affected Functions

Welcome screen

Symptoms

We have recently became aware an issue with the welcome screen, that it will not properly dismiss when instructed to (by checking the box).

This issue has been put into further investigation.

This issue has not known to affect any other operational functions.

Cause

This issue has been known to be caused by the change of Internet Explorer SDK version used by NVR software because of the adoption of Pushbullet Mobile Push service.

Workaround

No known workaround available yet. A fix is included in the version 922.

Technical Detail (internal)

2015/11/30 Confirmed: Working in IE 8 but not in IE 10.

This error message shows both in IE8 and 10 and not sure if it's related to this issue.

Before version 922 the checkbox is in the HTML page and its functionality depends on Internet Explorer compatibility.

Version 922 changed the checkbox to Windows button.

Issue: Unable to open client after out-of-memory (if viewing timebar)

First Occurrence

Version 858

Affected Functions

Timebar, client console

Status

Fixed in version 921

Symptoms

Client won't run if the following conditions are met:

There's a previous out-of-memory incident
Event timebar is used and the incident is visible

Workaround

Reset client state. To to so, follow the steps:

Type '%appdata%' in file explorer and enter folder 'GeniusVision'
Find file 'GeniusVision_LocalClient.dbx'
Rename or delete it

Technical Detail (internal)

Each event in timebar has a style. Style for out-pf-memory (SysOff3) is missing and error occurrs.

How to disable a TriggerPolicy item temporarily

Added

Version 919

Purpose

Setting up a Trigger Policy could be time consuming. Sometimes users need to temporarily disable a Trigger Policy but the only way to do so is to delete the item totally. And when they need that item they have to go through all the configuration again. So an option to disable a Trigger Policy is added.

Usage

Select the root node and the following page is displayed. Select 'disable' and click Apply to suspend this item. At any time change the setting to 'enable' and the item will be running again.

Added security warning to change default password

After verion 918, Genius Vision NVR hints users to change default password. Just enter the old password and the new password in the dialog to change the default password, if the dialog pops automatically.

The dialog no longer pops if you change the default password. You can also click dismiss to ignore the warning but you will leave your system unprotected.

Please understand that with this dialog you are changing the password for default administrator (user 'admin'), no matter what account you are currently logged on with now. Genius Vision NVR does not hint to change password for any other administrator accounts you create on your own. So please make sure you use strong passwords when creating accounts.

If anytime you want to change the password, or you are using older version without the hint, open System Configuration and click Users tab.

Known Issue: PatternSet missing file

First Occurrence

All active versions

Affected Functions

PatternSet and database exporting

Status

Fixed in 919

Symptoms

When a PatternSet item is corrupted (the file that stores pattern layouts and pages is missing or broken), the PatternSet cannot be opened. And when such item is opened, the system is trapped in a state that PatternSet can no longer be saved or opened (even for an uncorrupted PatternSet).

The corrupted item also affects database exporting. Exporting will never be finished.

A common reason for PatternSet to be corrupted is reinstall of the system. The following operation sequence corrupts all PatternSet items:

Export database
Format system drive
Setup OS and NVR again
Import database

To prevent this, files in System Briefcase must be saved and put back manually when reinstalling. The files are located in C:\SystemBriefcase\Repository.

Workaround

Delete all PatternSet items after reinstallation.
If a corrupted PatternSet is opened and the system does not function normally, close the console and open it again.

Technical Detail (internal)

The notifyFileCompletion() route does not handle file open error. NVR server (Cx3_FileClient) does not signal console (Cx3_FileServer) when the file is missing or unable to be opened. And console waits indefinitely. corrupting the whole file transfer mechanism.

Issue: When using FTP upload, specifying directory may not work

First Occurrence

All active versions (dated back to version 700)

Affected Functions

Trigger policy, FTP uploading

Status

Fixed in 918

Symptoms

With directory specified, files will still be uploaded to root.

Workaround

Upload files to root only.

Technical Detail (internal)

The function was simply not implemented at the release of Trigger Policy. This could be a problem when files are too many, FTP server stops working. Newly uploaded files are invisible and files on the server could not be downloaded or deleted. But even with 'directory' implemented, eventually the amount of files in a directory grows too large. To address this, a special value '[auto]' is added. When '[auto]' is input as a directory, NVR automatically upload files to different directories by their date.

Issue: Video analytics may not work with triangular polygon ROI

First Occurrence

All active versions (dated back to version 700)

Affected Functions

Motion detection

Object tracking

Status

Fixed in version 918

Symptoms

Polygon ROI with 3 vertices (triangle) has no effect.

Workaround

Create polygon ROI with at least 4 vertices.

Technical Detail (internal)

There's a configuration check in Cv_Core.cpp to make sure a polygon has at least 3 vertices. (a line is not a polygon) There are multiple issues with this validation:

Euqality sign is missing. It should've been >= instead of >
Instead of discarding invalid polygons, only the coordination conversion is skipped. Invalid polygons will still be drawn.

Issue: Console may crash when editing user tree

First Occurrence

All active versions (dated back to version 700)

Affected Functions

CMS, user tree

Status

Fixed in version 918

Symptoms

The following conditions must be met to trigger this bug:

The NVR uses CMS function (has one or more NVR channel)
There are one or more sub-channel under NVR channel
More than one console is connected to this NVR (on single PC or on different ones)
When any change is made to user tree, all consoles crash except the one that made the change

Workaround

Invoke the crashed consoles manually

Technical Detail (internal)

In DomainPlayer.cpp, during loadGlobalTree() sequence, the whole user tree is reconstructed in sub-sequence LV_TRVU. Channel list is acquired with Ds_ConfigManager::getChannelNameList() to reconstruct the tree. The list include both NVR channels and sub channels and is not sorted according to CMS structure. So it's possible that a sub channel is added before its parent, causing console to crash in Wtk_TrVuItem::getTrVuItemAssert().

For example:

Channel "CH_001" could be added before channel "SR" and all consoles crash.

Issue: Ignoring "RTSP Packet Buffer Overflow warning" may not work on CMS

First Occurrence

Version 873

Affected Functions

Packet Buffer Overflow warning on CMS

Status

Fixed in version 918

Symptoms

When ignoring the warning triggered by channel of remote NVR, it has no effect. The dialog still pops.

Workaround

Invoke console of the NVR and ignore the warning on that NVR

Issue: RTSP Packet Buffer Overflow auto-resolve may not work

First Occurrence

Version 878

Affected Functions

RTSP packet buffer overflow auto-adjustment

Status

Fixed in version 917

Symptoms

When user clicks Auto to let the system increase buffer size, channel will be configured automatically and PacketBufSize appears to be increased. But the effective value remains unchanged (default 300,000 bytes) if the channel is never configured by user before. The result is that the warning keeps popping and can never be resolved automatically.

Workaround

Manually increase buffer size

Community Platform incorporated into Camera Find

Added

Version 916

Screenshots

See also

Connecting to IP cameras of any brand

More forgiving URL path input

Changed

915

Purpose

When inputting URL relative path there are two forms; starting with or without a slash. For example:

With slash	/mjpeg
Without slash	mjpeg

Both forms seem correct but only the later works. If the one with slash is used, NVR will compose a URL like this and fail:

rtsp://192.168.0.101:8558//mjpeg

In version 915, auto check is added for RTSPCam, HTTPCamera, and GenericCamera. Now user inputted URLs with or without slash both work as intended.

Usage

NVR automatically composes correct URLs and there's nothing needed to be done by users.

Improved alarm handling for inactive IVS (motion detection and object tracking)

Changed

915

Purpose

If users setup video analytics but it's not running, NVR fires an alarm of "VIDEO ANALYTICS INACTIVE". There's a problem with this alarm because the state of being inactive is persistent. The alarm will be fired again immediately after users acknowledging it. Users must either enable detection or reset analytics configuration or the alarm can't be dismissed.

In version 915 an improved menu is created specifically for this alarm for users to manage it easily.

Usage

When the alarm is active, the alarm menu is replaced with IVS Inactive menu. Users can enable client detection or open video analytics setup dialog. Enabling client detection immediately dismisses the alarm. In video analytics setup dialog, users can reset configuration (if video analytics is not wanted) or enable server-side detection. (which consumes significant system resource in background)

Simplified motion detection configuration

Note: This function is available since version 921.

Purpose

Genius Vision NVR has a very flexible and powerful video analytics configuration that supports multiple instances of detection, multiple ROIs (region of interest), and shared ROIs for multiple instances of detection with different parameters. But this is unnecessarily overwhelming for users who just want simple motion detection (VMD). And the learning curve is steep even for simplest detection.

In version 921 a simple configuration for motion detection is added.

See also

Video: How to setup motion detection

Usage

In Motion Detection Configuration (just above the original Video Analytics Setup) there're only limited (and most used) options for users:

Enable/disable motion detection

Change sensitivity

Add ROIs (region of interest)

Reset ROIs (detect whole video)

Automatic recovery from critical disk Error (Storage Monitor)

Added

Version 915

Purpose

When storage encounters a critical error (be it hardware malfunction, driver error, or OS error), NVR storage subsystem may fail to mount, making NVR unable to record any video. Storage monitor add corrupted file to a blacklist and avoid it to make sure storage subsystem works.

Limitation

Storage monitor only prevents NVR from accessing corrupted data that stalls storage subsystem. It does not…

1. Fix hard drive malfunction.

2. Recover corrupted data.

3. Detect corrupted video and recover it.

Disk space will be lost for any corrupted file blacklisted.

Usage

On NVR start, storage is busy scanning files...

If it takes longer than usual to finish, warning message pop-ups and shows scanning progress.

If any file takes too much time to be opened, NVR blacklists that file and restart. After restart, the file will be skipped to avoid critical error.

On NVR startup, if there's any blacklisted file, Critical Disk Error dialog pops up and in system logs all affected drives are listed.

NVR probably already blacklisted all affected files and storage may come online. But this message usually indicates that there's a critical error in hard drive, possibly caused by hardware malfunction. There's a high risk that recording will fail or recorded video will be lost. Users are suggested to do the following procedure…

Find which hard disk drives the affected logical drives are located on
Replace all affected hard disk drives except system one (usually C:)
Run NVR and click "Reset blacklist" in Critical Disk Error dialog
Restart NVR
If system drive is affected, avoid using it for recording

The dialog can also be opened in system logs.

Replacing problematic hard disk drives is the only way to fix critical disk error and keep NVR stable and healthy.

Added: Connect to remote NVR using domain name

Added

Added in 879

Purpose

Suggested by a number of user feedback, now we allow connecting to remote NVR using domain names, in addition to IP-address-only.

Issue: Lite edition - 5x5 matrix layout won't save in pattern page

First Occurrence

Long-standing

Affected Functions

This issue only affects Lite edition.

Status

Fixed in 879

Symptoms

When changing to 5x5 matrix layout in pattern page, the state of the page will not be auto-saved. So next time you open the console, that page won't exist.

Workaround

Instead of using 5x5, you can use 6x6, which still can be auto-saved.

Issue: Internet Explorer will not open under Windows 8

First Occurrence

This is a long-standing issue.

Affected Functions

It's known to affect functions that involves opening a full window Internet Explorer to show something, that under Windows 8, the browser window will not open. Including:

Web Setup

ONVIF test report

Status

Fixed in 878

Symptoms

The browser window will not open, no error message is given.

Workaround

Under Windows 8, there is no known workaround. The only way is not to use it.

Issue: PacketBufSize sometimes not working

First Occurrence

Version 873

Affected Functions

RTSP buffer overflow auto-resolve

Status

Fixed in 878

Symptoms

In some cameras, overflow occurs rarely. At the checkpoint of auto-resolve mechanism, there may not be overflow and buffer size is not increased.

Workaround

Increase buffer size manually.

Issue: Cannot change admin password

First Occurrence

Version 873

Affected Functions

User management for default user "admin"

Status

Fixed in 877

Symptoms

Password/description for default user "admin" cannot be changed. Upon OK/Apply, system logs "System config changed" but not "User 'admin' changed". The change is not saved.

Image 1. Before 873, successful change of user 'admin'.

Image 2. Bugged behavior. User 'admin' is not changed.

Workaround

Install version 872 and change password

How to read Genius Vision Software Changes

There are 2 tables in Software Changes: Changes and IssueVersionGrid.

Table "Changes"

This lists known issues and their fix, if it's fixed. The IDs are coded as following:

TA - Technical Articles are usually for engineers regarding integration or testing.
A - Articles are for end-users providing information on operations or setup.
KI - Known Issues are issues affecting only certain versions of software.
LI - Long-standing Issues are issues that exist since early stage of software and almost affect all users.

Taking the 3rd row "KI:MaxSzNonHdd" issue as an example:

It's introduced in version 873. So if you are using 872 than you are not affected, but if you are using 874, then you are affected.
Column "Changed" usually means fixed if the item is a KI. So if you are using 873, update to 875 can solve the issue.
If the version number shows as Upcoming, it means a version containing that change is yet to be released and will likely to be released in next version.
Click "Information" for more detail about the issue. Sometimes there're workarounds if you don't want to update software or if a fix is not available yet. You also need the details to explain to customers.

Table "IssueVersionGrid"

The table visualized affected versions. "X" means the issue is present. "<" means the issue is fixed. Bugs can be introduced during software development and you may not be satisfied with every change of newer versions. So don't blindly update to the latest version. Use the table to find the issues that currently bother you and install "Suggested Upgrade" to fix the active issues without changing the system dramatically.

Video aspect minor bug

First Occurrence

Version 741

Affected Functions

Video rendering, only when Maintain aspect is selected and player window size is twice larger (any of the two sides) than actual video. This bug rarely occur on megapixel cameras.

Status

Fixed in 876

Symptoms

When player is twice larger (any of the two sides) than actual video, player no longer maintain aspect ratio of the video.

Workaround

Select Aspect Mode other than Maintain aspect.
Increase video resolution so it better fits the resolution of monitor.

Issue: Corrupted slot after Windows restart

First Occurrence

Long-standing

Affected Functions

Service mode only. (Hybrid is not affected)

Status

Fixed in 875

Symptoms

After Windows restart by user request, system appears to be terminated abnormally and there's corrupted slot.

Workaround

Shutdown NVR engine manually before shutdown or restart Windows.

Add ET02 for ONVIF InitialTerminationTime issue

Status

This is added in 875

Purpose

The reason for this parameter is detailed in the following technical article:

What is the InitialTerminationTime issue

The difference between ET01 and ET02 can be illustrated in the following XML:

ET01

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<soap:Envelope xmlns:tt="http://www.onvif.org/ver10/schema" xmlns:soap="http://www.w3.org/2003/05/soap-envelope" xmlns:tds="http://www.onvif.org/ver10/device/wsdl" xmlns:wsa="http://www.w3.org/2005/08/addressing" xmlns:wsd="http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/ws/2005/04/discovery" xmlns:wsse="http://docs.oasis-open.org/wss/2004/01/oasis-200401-wss-wssecurity-secext-1.0.xsd" xmlns:wsu="http://docs.oasis-open.org/wss/2004/01/oasis-200401-wss-wssecurity-utility-1.0.xsd" xmlns:trt="http://www.onvif.org/ver10/media/wsdl" xmlns:wsdp="http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/ws/2006/02/devprof" xmlns:timg="http://www.onvif.org/ver10/imaging/wsdl" xmlns:ovi20="http://www.onvif.org/ver20/imaging/wsdl" xmlns:ove="http://www.onvif.org/ver10/events/wsdl" xmlns:wsnt="http://docs.oasis-open.org/wsn/b-2" xmlns:ovio="http://www.onvif.org/ver10/deviceIO/wsdl" xmlns:ovz="http://www.onvif.org/ver10/ptz/wsdl" xmlns:ovz20="http://www.onvif.org/ver20/ptz/wsdl" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">

<soap:Body>

<ove:CreatePullPointSubscription>

<ove:InitialTerminationTime>PT30S</ove:InitialTerminationTime>

</ove:CreatePullPointSubscription>

</soap:Body>

</soap:Envelope>

ET02

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<soap:Body>

<ove:CreatePullPointSubscription>

<ove:InitialTerminationTime xsi:nil="true" />

</ove:CreatePullPointSubscription>

</soap:Body>

</soap:Envelope>

MaxSize_GB default value issue for non-HDD drives

First Occurrence

Version 873

Affected Functions

Storage Configuration, read-only drives.

Status

Fixed in 875

Symptoms

When a read-only drive is selected in Storage Config, non-numerical text appears in MaxSize_GB and it's can't be saved because it's not a valid value.

Workaround

Manually input a valid value and click Apply.

Issue: ONVIF PTZ free mode sends stop first

Affected Functions

ONVIF PTZ.

Status

Fixed in 875

Symptoms

At random times, the NVR software will send a ContinuousMove command with x=0, y=0 prior to actual commands. Some PTZ camera will treat such command as Stop command and will introduce additional delay.

Workaround

There is no known workaround on the NVR side, except to upgrade to newer version.

Issue: ONVIF PTZ number precision not enough

Affected Functions

ONVIF PTZ.

Status

Fixed in 875

Symptoms

NVR will send ONVIF ContinuousMove command with x=0, y=0, where in reality x and y can be a very small number. Some PTZ camera will treat such command as Stop command and will introduce additional delay.

Workaround

There is no known workaround on the NVR side, except to upgrade to newer version.

Updated x64 Enterprise packaging

NOTE: Enterprise Edition has been superseded, you are strongly recommended to use Subscription Edition instead.

Introduction to 64-bit Architecture

See presentation: Genius Vision 64-bit Architecture

Status

Starting from version 874, x64 Enterprise enters BETA trial.

x64 CmE Edition

No additional requirement, same license packaging as CmE 32-bit.

x64 Enterprise Edition

Require an additional per/server Enterprise license: copye
Per-channel license is compatible with Commercial Edition (32-bit): pro, ipr, pano
Demo mode: if demo code is used, minimum number of channel Professional, Intelligent, and Panorama is 8, for proper trial to work.

Product Licensing Comparison

	Requires additional copye license	Per Camera Commercial License (pro, ipr, pano)
Commercial Edition (32-bit)	No	Yes
Enterprise Edition (64-bit)	Yes	Yes
Community Edition 32-bit	No	Not applicable
Community Edition 64-bit	No	Not applicable

New License Type Explained

New license type: copye is a new license type that will be available for purchase. License fee will be defined somewhere else.
License applicability & installation: For Enterprise Edition, one server (PC) requires exactly one unit of copye to function correctly, otherwise "Protection lock error" will be encountered and the software won't start. This special license code will be asked at installation time (see Image 4).
Trial & production mode: In demo mode, copye comes with 8-channel of trial license with IVS and panorama features enabled to facilitate trial purpose. In product mode (non-trial), copye does not bring additional per-camera license. Therefore additional per camera license (such as pro, ipr, pano) must be purchased and installed separately.

x64 (Enterprise) System Limit Extension

Due to the fact that x64-based system comes with more available system resource (if configured properly), x64 build of NVR software has extended several system limits and/or default values, as illustrated below:

	32 bit	64 bit
Maximum allowed TCPConnections (Image 1)	1,000	2,000
Default TCPConnections	150	1,000
Storage MaxSize_GB per directory (Image 2)	20,000	80,000
Default MaxSize_GB per directory	1,000	1,000
Maximum number of monitors supported (Image 3)	6	8
Maximum number of matrix view	256 (16x16)	400 (20x20)

MobileOptions for MatrixView

After version 874, matrix layout 20x20 is added to utilize full power of 64 bit Enterprise Edition . To increase system stability, layout larger than 10x10 request stream with MobileOptions with an interval of 3 seconds, which means video is limited at maximum of ⅓ FPS.

So far the mechanism is automatic and there's no option or configuration for it.

Related Changes

A:AppMobileOpt

Reference screenshots

Image 1

Image 2

Image 3

Image 4

Multiple client instances with same profile could crash the system

Background

Genius Vision NVR provides the function to open multiple consoles on single PC, which is usually needed for multiple monitors. When opening consoles, users can select different profiles so states like layout, window position, attached channels, etc, will be stored separately. If 2 or more consoles are opened with same profile, consoles may crash due to conflicting operations on database.

Fix

As of version 874,one profile can only be opened with one console.

PacketBufSize auto resize

Added

Version 874

Purpose

This fix addresses the packet buffer overflow causing video image to corrupt at bottom by providing semi-automatic hint to adjust packet buffer size. More details please refer to Technical FAQ.

Usage

If any of the channels encounter packet buffer overflow, the following dialog pops up.

There're 4 actions:

Help

Opens the document that explains RTSP packet buffer size issue.

Setup

Opens Camera Setup dialog for user to configure buffer size manually.

Auto

Let NVR to increase buffer size automatically.

Ignore

NVR no longer shows this dialog in the future. The warning can still be seen in system logs.

If Auto is selected, NVR increases buffer size to resolve the issue automatically. Because NVR can never know exactly how many bytes are required, it will increase buffer size incrementally until video data is not truncated.

MainStreamIndex (Recording Stream)

Added

Version 874

Purpose

By default NVR records first stream, which usually has higher quality and data rate. If user wants to record stream other than first one, MainStreamIndex needs to be configured.

Usage

In Record page, Video Setup tab of Camera Setup dialog, find MainStreamIndex.

There're always 4 options no matter how many streams the camera support. 0 is the default value. Please check if the stream exist before selecting. If the selected stream does not exist, NVR will still record first stream. (stream 0)

TCP Connections setup issue

First Occurrence

Version 857 (2013-11-4)

Affected Functions

Configuring TCP Connections limit of remote NVR. (client and server run on different computers)

Status

This issue is fixed in version 874

Symptoms

Upon applying, TCP Connections will be reverted to original value. The value cannot be changed.

Workaround

Configure TCP Connections on NVR server, instead of from remote client.

Edit of Administrators group could lock-up the system

Background

An issue has been reported and confirmed to be an issue of Genius Vision NVR software that if an administrator who belongs to Administrators group and tries to disable the "Manage System" access right, this could potentially leads to lock-up to an entire NVR server. Removing auto-created user "admin" from Administrators group could also lead to lock-up.

Image 1. Administrator privilege is removed from Administrators group

Image 2. User "admin" is removed from Administrators group

Fix

As of version 874, user "admin" and user group "Administrators" can no longer be edited. They always have administrator privileges. Previously locked system will also be fixed. To protect the system, users MUST change default password of user "admin". Please do NOT use common default passwords like 1234, pass, root, 9999, 0000, etc.

Image 3. Check boxes are grayed out. Privileges can not be edited.

Image 4. Remember to change default password to protect the system.

Behavior of generating password is also changed. Before the change, when using the button to generating password, Confirm new password is filled automatically. Now users have to paste generated password in.

2nd stream might not work

First Occurrence

Version 865 (2013-12-23)

Affected Functions

2nd stream for all channels, this includes:

Stream selection by user request

Both local and remote channel are affected

Layout auto-switch of streams

Both local and remote channel are affected
Both matrix and full players are affected
Only layout of 3x3 or more are affected

Video analytic

Preview in configuration dialog is affected
Server-side detection is affected

Status

This issue has been fixed in version 872.

Symptoms

1st stream is always displayed even when 2nd stream is selected, by user or layout auto-switch. And in this state only the first frame of 1st stream is displayed. The video will not update.

Resetting channel sometimes fixes the state temporarily. It's broke again if stream or layout is switched.

No known configuration can fix this state so far.

For video analytic, if 2nd stream or auto is selected for server-side detect, software motion will be constantly triggered even without any motion. (probably it messes frames from both streams?) Selecting main stream can fix this.

Image 1. From left to right: main, secondary, auto. They all display 1st stream (2nd stream is JPEG CIF). Top row is local channel and 2nd is remote channel.

Image 2. Video analytic is also affected.

Image 3. Server-side software motion is constantly triggered without any motion.

Fixed ONVIF config change checking for Stream 2

Before version 869, SetVideoEncoderConfiguration for stream 2 does not work properly. Stream 2 ignores user configuration and streams with default encoding/resolution only.

Fixed ONVIF missing SessionTimeout for SetVideoEncoderConfiguration (technical)

Before version 869, SessionTimeout in SetVideoEncoderConfiguration is missing. Some cameras consider this invalid request and encoding/resolution/quality can not be configured at all.

<trt:SetVideoEncoderConfiguration>

<trt:Configuration token="VideoEncoderConfiguration1">

<tt:Name>VideoEncoderConfiguration1</tt:Name>

<tt:UseCount>1</tt:UseCount>

<tt:Encoding>MPEG4</tt:Encoding>

<tt:Resolution>

<tt:Width>160</tt:Width>

<tt:Height>120</tt:Height>

</tt:Resolution>

<tt:Quality>3</tt:Quality>

<tt:RateControl>

<tt:FrameRateLimit>1</tt:FrameRateLimit>

<tt:EncodingInterval>1</tt:EncodingInterval>

<tt:BitrateLimit>1000</tt:BitrateLimit>

</tt:RateControl>

<tt:Multicast>

<tt:Address>

<tt:Type>IPv4</tt:Type>

<tt:IPv4Address>0.0.0.0</tt:IPv4Address>

</tt:Address>

<tt:Port>10</tt:Port>

<tt:TTL>255</tt:TTL>

<tt:AutoStart>true</tt:AutoStart>

</tt:Multicast>

<tt:SessionTimeout>PT30M</tt:SessionTimeout>

</trt:Configuration>

</trt:SetVideoEncoderConfiguration>

Add credential info in tooltip for NVR channel

NVR channel (CMS) can be logged on with current user or any specified user in NVR Configuration. To make sure the correct user is logged onto the NVR, hover on NVR channel in Tree View to check active user. This is especially crucial if different users with different privileges are used for local and remote NVR.

Fixed an issue that IP-address control is too short

Before version 868 (2014-02-25), IP address edit in large font is too short for 3-digit numbers. This is not only a display issue, it also makes it almost impossible to setup NVR because Windows does not allow input of 3-digit numbers. User have to change to small font (system default) to setup channels.

Workaround

Input IP address in Domain name field instead, as shown below.

License manager issue under Win XP

Affected Functions

License manager, only under Windows XP

Status

Fixed in version 867 (2014-01-06)

Symptoms

In Windows XP, license manager can only be invoked once. The following error pops up if it has been invoked before, even if it's closed now.

Workaround

Close all Genius Vision processes including organizer. Restart organizer and run license manager.

SyncPlay pause may cause memory overflow

First Occurrence

Version 853 (2013-09-19)

Reported by

Affected Functions

Synchronized playback, playback tab. Both pure IP and hybrid. This problem does not seem to appear on most users.

Status

Fixed in version 863 (2013-12-13)

Symptoms

Random, sudden onset of memory overflow when operating synchronized playback. Related to pause, but pause does not necessarily trigger it. Pause and attach channel seems triggers it.

Fixed IE embedded full console cannot change to full screen

Affected Functions

IE remote console.

Status

Fixed in version 868.

Symptoms

In IE embedded mode, pressing F10 to switch to full screen makes this blank window.

User can resize window to recover from the bugged state...

IVS indication problem

First Occurrence

Version 827 (2013-02-18)

Affected Functions

Object tracking, client detection

Status

Fixed in version 857 (2013-11-04)

Symptoms

Text of object tracking is missing.

And display config is ignored. Indication is always translucent.

Workaround

Users can still check counting in timebar or storage map.

Added MobileOptions to reduce mobile APP bandwidth

Added

Version 841, for b80

Version 792, for b70

Purpose

To reduce bandwidth usage, a protocol option is added to NVR server to reduce network usage by transmitting only I-frames at a specified interval, such as 5 seconds. This will keep the video frame updating, without consuming too much bandwidth. This is especially useful when video packets are transmitted over mobile Internet such as 3G mobile network.

Usage

This function is used automatically when mobile APP uses video list view.

Fixed ONVIF-find support for non-standard HTTP port

Status

Version 841

Symptoms

An issue has been identified that the NVR ONVIF-find implementation cannot properly deal with ONVIF camera with non-standard HTTP port (80). This issue has been fixed.

Workaround

Use only standard HTTP port for ONVIF cameras, or manually add camera without using camera find.

Fixed a ONVIF issue that GetOptions is missing VideoSourceToken. Also added imaging20 compatibility.

Synopsis

This change address two ONVIF compatibility issue.

GetOptions is missing VideoSourceToken

A spec-mandatory element VideoSourceToken was missing from GetOptions of NVR implementation. The fix has addressed this issue.

<soap:Body>

<timg:GetOptions>

<timg:VideoSourceToken>VideoSource0</timg:VideoSourceToken>

</timg:GetOptions>

</soap:Body>

</soap:Envelope>

Added imaging20 compatibility

The implementation added as follows:

Try Imaging service 1.0 namespace: http://www.onvif.org/ver10/imaging/wsdl
If for any reasons Imaging requests failed,
it will try Imaging service 2.0 namespace: http://www.onvif.org/ver20/imaging/wsdl

Thereby achieve automatic detection compatibility.

Changed driver list to alphabet order

Since version 838, drivers are sorted alphabetically.

Enhanced FileSize_MB strategy for StorageConfig and changed its validation.

Added

Version 824

Purpose

In Storage Config, FileSize_MB defines file size for auto-split of recorded data. The value was capped at 2,000 before version 824. If the storage is very large, there will be too many files. NVR maintains a list of files in memory. Increasing file numbers put a heavy loading on NVR and makes it unstable. To reduce file numbers, in version 824 FileSize_MB cap was increased to 10,000. Also the initial value is calculated based on total available space to maintain a healthy number of files, which is around 1,000.

Image 1. FileSize_MB is defined in Storage Configuration dialog.

Image 2. Recorded data are splitted according to the value of FileSize_MB. It's not exactly the same because the difference of 1,024 and 1,000 in calculation.

Usage

In most cases, users need to do nothing to be benefited from this change.