ESP STING II User Manual
STING II
Digital Video
Recorder/Player
User’s Guide
Table of Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................. 2
STING II Description........................................................................... 2
Package Contents............................................................................... 6
Connecting the A/V Cable.................................................................... 7
Getting Started ......................................................................................... 8
Charging the Battery........................................................................... 8
Connecting and Configuring the STING II............................................... 8
Connecting the STING II via USB.......................................................... 9
Deleting One or More Files Via the Setup Menu....................................... 9
Reformatting the Compact Flash or Microdrive........................................ 9
Recording Sessions................................................................................. 11
File Types.........................................................................................11
Recording Methods ............................................................................12
Alarm Indication................................................................................13
Setup Software ....................................................................................... 14
Accessing the Setup Software..............................................................14
Event Library ....................................................................................14
Setup ..............................................................................................17
Media Tab ........................................................................................27
System Tab ......................................................................................29
System Info Tab................................................................................32
Default Settings ................................................................................35
Updating the STING II........................................................................36
Using the Remote Control ....................................................................... 38
Using the STING II Media Center............................................................ 39
Installing the STING II Media Center ....................................................39
Accessing the STING Media Center.......................................................40
STING II Tab Options.........................................................................40
Security Options in the Media Center....................................................41
Configuration Options in the Media Center.............................................42
Remote Access........................................................................................ 45
Determining the STING II’s IP Address .................................................45
File List............................................................................................47
Capture Image..................................................................................47
WebCam (Full resolution) ...................................................................48
Upgrade Firmware .............................................................................48
Change Password ..............................................................................48
System Status ..................................................................................48
Maintenance and Troubleshooting .......................................................... 49
Introduction
Technical Specifications.......................................................................... 50
Introduction
STING II is a wearable video/audio digital recorder capable of recording
video and audio in MPEG-2 format. Recordings are stored on Microdrive or
Compact Flash plug-in cards and can then be played back using the STING
II, downloaded from the Microdrive to a personal computer or accessed
remotely.
STING II is designed mainly for surveillance purposes by law-enforcement
and government organizations, for portable video/audio recording featuring
the highest quality available. The STING II accepts composite video input
from any video camera. It includes the ability to:
• Discreetly start and end recording sessions
• Encrypt audio/video, video only, or audio files
• Capture still images (in jpeg format)
• Trigger recording sessions based on motion detection
• Capture individual jpeg images from streaming video files
• Authenticate that recording sessions have not been edited or
tampered with, based on STING II’s automatically embedded
watermark functionality
In addition to the STING II unit, the STING II solution includes Setup
software embedded in the device, a Media Center application enabling you
to connect the STING II directly to your laptop or personal computer, and a
remote web interface that lets you view and capture images and files
remotely.
STING II Description
The STING II is a compact unit, featuring many options and connection
options, including:
Sting II User Guide 2
Top View
The top of the STING II unit offers:
Introduction
• Ethernet cable (with RJ-45 connection)
• USB 2.0 cable
• Monitor or TV
• Instant access to the Setup menu (see
• The ability to start and stop recording (see
12)
page
• Several LEDs that indicate the STING II status (see
Indicators
on page 5)
Setup Main Menu on page 14)
Recording Methods on
Menu Control
STING II LED
The Menu control joystick is used to access the Setup
application. Once you connect the device to the
appropriate monitor or television (see
Configuring the STING II
II on, press the center of the joystick on the top of the
STING II to access the Setup application.
• Press the center circle to the left, right, up or down to navigate
through the menu options of the Setup application.
• Use the right button to return to a previous screen.
• Use the left button to close the Setup application.
For more information, see
You can also use the remote control to access the Setup
menu. For more information, see
Control
Sting II User Guide 3
on page 8), and turn the STING
Setup Software on page 14.
on page 38.
Connecting and
Using the Remote
Left Side View
The left side of the STING II unit offers:
• Wired Remote
• USB 2.0
• Ethernet
• DC In
Introduction
.
Right Side View
The right side of the STING II unit offers:
• AV/Out
• Mic In
• 5V Out
• AV/In
Sting II User Guide 4
Bottom View
The bottom of the STING II unit offers access to the Virtual port, enabling
you to establish a GPRS 3G or WiFi connection to the Internet to upload
files or enable remote access to the unit. A special adapter, which can be
purchased separately, is required to make this connection .
Introduction
STING II LED Indicators
The STING II LEDs indicate the status of the unit as it is powering up. Once
the unit is operating fully, the LEDs indicate th e recording status of the
unit. While the unit is in the process of powering up, the triangle LED of the
unit will flash green.
The LEDs on the STING II device also indicate the status of the device
and/or the memory card capacity.
Charging LED
When the STING II is plugged in and charging, the
round LED on the top of the device will be green.
The Charge LED will turn off when
the device is fully charged.
However, on some occasions, when
you plug the charger into the
STING II device and the battery is
fully charged, the charge light will
remain lit.
Sting II User Guide 5
Introduction
Memory Card Status
The color of the triangle LED indicates the status of the memory available
on the memory card.
LED Indicator Color Percentage Used
Green 0 – 25%
Blue 25 – 50%
White 50 – 75%
Package Contents
• STING II Digital Recorder
• 2 Audio/Video Cables
• Ethernet cable with a RJ45
• Mini USB to normal USB cable
• Vibrating remote control cable
• Infra red remote control
• USB Cable
• Universal Battery Charger
• Sting Media Center Software (Including STING II User Guide on a
CD)
• 4GB Microdrive
Red 75 – 100%
Sting II User Guide 6
Connecting the A/V Cable
The A/V cable has two RCA-type sockets on one end, and a 3.5mm plug on
the other end, which connects to the STING II.
To connect the A/V cable to the STING II:
• Plug the 3.5mm plug into the Video In socket on the STING II. Make
sure it is plugged all the way into the center hole.
Connecting a Camera or Microphone
You can connect any video camera to the STING. If the camera operates on
5VDC, it can draw its power from the Camera Power Out socket, as long
as the current consumption does not exceed 200mA. If the camera does
not comply with these requirements, it should be powered by its own
battery.
Alternatively, you can connect an amplified microphone, or any other
device that sends out a line-level signal. An amplif ied button microphone is
sold separately.
Introduction
Sting II User Guide 7
The STING II Digital Video Recorder allows you to record and view MPEG-2
videos. However, before you can begin working with the STING II you
should:
• Charge the battery for the first time
• Connect and configure the STING II
• Set the current date and time
• Set the configuration options in the Media Center
Charging the Battery
Before using the STING II for the first time, it is highly recommended that
you charge the battery over night. Once this initial charge has been
accomplished, you will only need to charge STING II for 4 hours each t ime
the battery gets low to ensure maximum battery power during operation.
The unit comes with a universal auto-switching AC/DC power supply with
an input range of 110 – 240 volts AC and an output voltage of 9 volts DC
Getting Started
Getting Started
To charge the battery:
1. Connect the power supply to the unit.
2. Plug the power supply into the electricity and charge the unit for
several hours (at least 8 hours during the initial ch arge).
Make sure the switch is on the Off position on the STING II.
Connecting and Configuring the STING II
STING II comes with a number of cable and connection options. Initially,
you must charge the unit (as specified above) and then set the time and
date to be used during record mode. This is done in the Setup software
application (see
You can configure the unit’s encryption password via the STING II Media
Center (see
Other settings are configured using the Setup software. The STING II
remembers the configuration settings and applies them automatically to all
recording sessions. To change the configuration settings, connect the
STING II to the Setup application.
Time Date Stamp on page 20).
Creating an Encryption Password).
Sting II User Guide 8
Connecting the STING II via USB
You can connect the STING II via USB to your computer. This will enable
you to access the files directly via your Windows Explorer or by using the
STING II Media Center.
To connect the STING II using a USB Cable:
1. Verify that the STING II is Off.
2. Connect the USB cable to the computer and to the STING II.
3. Press the center navigation joystick and hold it down while turning
the STING II On.
4. Wait a few seconds while the LED on the STING II flashes.
5. Release the center key. You should see that your computer now
recognizes the USB connection and you can access the files on the
STING II.
To disconnect the STING II, it is important to first turn the STING II Off,
and then disconnect the USB cables from the computer and the STING II.
Getting Started
Deleting One or More Files Via the Setup Menu
You can delete one or more files via the Setup menu. However, before
deleting them, you should confirm that you h ave saved the files to a
backup location.
To delete one or more files:
1. While the Sting is connected to a television or monitor, press the
center button and release it. This will open the Setup Menu.
2. Click the Event Library option to see a list of files.
3. Select one file and click the center button again and release
immediately. This will open an options menu enabling y ou to choose
from: Play, Delete, or Delete All.
• To delete one file, click Delete.
• To select all files, click Delete All.
4. You are asked to verify your selection. Click OK to delete one or all of
the files, or Cancel to close the window without deleting any files.
Reformatting the Compact Flash or Microdrive
You can easily format the compact flash or Microdrive currently stored on
the STING II.
Note: This will permanently delete all the files currently
Sting II User Guide 9
saved on the compact flash or Microdrive disk.
Getting Started
To delete all the files on the Compact Flash or Microdrive disk:
1. Press the center button and hold it down.
2. While still holding the center button, press the left button and hold it
down.
3. While pressing both of these, also press the right button and hold for
3 seconds. The top green LED will start blinking to indicate the STING
II is in the process of deleting the files. This may take from a few
seconds to a few moments (depending of how full the memory card
is). When the LEDs stop flashing, the files are erased and the both
LEDs will be solid green.
Alternatively, you can use one of the following options to delete the files:
• Connect the STING II via the USB cable to your computer and use
Windows Explorer to delete all the files.
• Use the STING II Media Center to delete the files (highlight the files
and select Delete Files).
Sting II User Guide 10
The STING II provides several ways to start and stop recording audio and
video. To save power, the STING II is automatically configured to close the
video output 300 seconds (5 minutes) after beginning to record. After that
time, although the unit continues to record, it will not automatically display
what it is recording, even if connected to a television or monitor. This value
can be changed in the conf.txt file.
The settings that determine what will be recorded are determined using the
Setup or the Media Center applications. For more information, see
Software
File Types
Recording Sessions
Recording Sessions
Setup
.
Each time you start or stop recording, one of the following types of files will
be created, depending on what settings you have selected prior to initiating
the recording session).
File Extension Type of File Encryption Setting
.mpg Audio/Video Not encrypted
.mpx Audio/Video Encrypted
.m2v Video only Not encrypted
.m2x Video only Encrypted
.mp3 Audio only Not encrypted
.m3x Audio only Encrypted
.jpg Single image Not encrypted
.jpx Single image Encrypted
You can select the type of recording session in the Setup software
application (Setup > Record > Recording Mode).
This option enables you to select audio/video, video only, or MP3 audio
only. Alternatively, you can create a .jpg by:
• Pressing the Image Capture button on the remote control.
• Pressing the right button on the STING II unit’s control panel briefly
(for less than 5 seconds).
Sting II User Guide 11
• Pressing the button on the Vibrating Remote briefly (for less than 5
seconds).
Recording Methods
Once you determine the type of file you wish to record and configure these
settings in the Setup, you only have to start and stop recording sessions
using the STING II. There are several ways to start and stop recording
sessions. These include:
• Via Vibrating Remote
• Via Infrard Remote Control
• Via the STING II unit’s control panel
• Via Motion Sensor
Via Vibrating Remote
STING II comes with a vibrating remote device that enables you to quickly
start and stop recording by simply pressing a button. The remote control is
composed of a push-button and a cable connected to a vibrating motor. It
can be used for:
Recording Sessions
• Starting and stopping the recording.
• Getting indications, by vibration, for low battery, low memory, a
disconnected video cable and any other malfunction.
The STING II unit can be concealed completely, leaving only the camera
and vibrating remote accessible to start and stop the recording session.
To start recording with the vibrating remote:
Press the button on the vibrating remote cable and hold it for 5 seconds
until the remote control begins to vibrate. The remote will vibrate for a few
seconds as an indication that the STING II is now recording. If you are
viewing the STING II, you will also notice a blinking red light on the top of
the device as a further indication that the device is recording.
To stop recording with the vibrating remote:
Press the button again and hold it for 5 seconds until it starts to vibrate.
The remote will vibrate in three short pulses, indicating that the recording
is off.
While the vibrating remote is attached to the STING II, all
buttons on the STING II are not operational. This
prevents you from accidentally starting or stopping a
recording session accidentally. Only the button on the
vibrating remote can start or stop a session while the
cable is plugged into the STING II.
To take a still picture (a single .jpg file), press the vibratin g remote button
and release immediately. Each time you press the vibrating remote button
for less than 2 seconds, another snapshot image will be taken by the
camera and stored for later viewing.
Sting II User Guide 12
WARNING A series of vibrations indicates that the STING II
has approximately 2-5 minutes of recording time
left because the battery is low and or memory
card is full and needs to be recharged/replaced.
Via Infrared Remote Control
To start a recording session, you can use the STING II Infrared remote
control to initiate a recording session by pressing the REC button on the
top right corner of the device.
The red blinking light on the top of the STING II unit indicates that it is in
record mode. Press the Stop button (square icon on lower left corner of
black navigation panel) to stop the recording session via the remote
control.
Via the STING II Control Buttons
Press the right button to begin recording. To record video and/or audio,
hold the button down for 5 seconds. If you press the button for a shorter
period of time, STING II will capture single-frame .jpg image files.
Recording Sessions
The red blinking light on the top of the STING II unit indicates that it is in
record mode. Press the button again to stop the recording session.
Via Motion Sensor
STING II enables you to trigger recording sessions based on the detection
of a moving object. Sensors trigger the recording session to begin and will
automatically stop when no movement is detected for a predefined period
of time. The default value is 30 seconds. For more information, see
Detection
on page 23.
Alarm Indication
When the remote control cable vibrates continuously, this is an alarm. Press
the remote control button to stop the vibration.
An alarm indicates one of the following:
• The camera cable has been disconnected (lost video-sync).
• The Microdrive card has been removed or dislodged.
• The STING II has suffered a severe malfunction and cannot continue
recording.
To resume recording after an alarm indication:
1. Reconnect the camera cable and/or push the Microdrive card back in.
Motion
2. Turn the STING II off and on again using the On/Off button.
3. Press the remote control button once, and keep it pressed for about
two seconds, to start recording again.
Sting II User Guide 13
Setup Software
The STING II contains a built-in software application th at enables you to
manage the device, view all files, view system information, an d modify
STING II recording settings and options.
The STING II software contains three main options:
• Event – enables you to access files stored on the Microdrive.
• Setup – enables you to set and modify system settings.
• System Information – enables you to set and modify system
information options such as date and time used to stamp all
recording sessions.
Accessing the Setup Software
Setup Software
You can access the Setup software either by using the STING II’s joystick
control buttons or by using the remote control. For information on how to
connect the unit, see
To access the Setup main menu from the STING II controls:
• Press the center joystick button on the unit.
To access the Setup main menu using the remote control:
• Press the Menu button.
Setup Main Menu
The main menu of the STING II Setup application contains three options:
• Event Library
• Setup
• System Info
Event Library
The Event Library window contains a complete list of all files currently
saved on the Microdrive. The files are listed in date order according to the
date and time the file was recorded. Below the list of files is an in dication of
how many pages of files are listed in the Event Library, and the currently
displayed page number (for example, Page 1 of 3).
Connecting and Configuring the STING II.
Sting II User Guide 14
Setup Software
The initial frame of the selected clip is displayed in the Preview window on
the right side of the Setup. Details of the clip, including the total amount of
time and the size of the file are displayed directly below the Preview
window. File names are automatically assigned to each file that is created
by the STING II.
Viewing Files
When viewing a .jpg file, the image itself is displayed in the Preview
window, rather than the first frame of a video clip.
To view the files in the Event Library:
1. Using the Remote Control, press the MENU key once to access the
Setup.
2. Press ENTER to open the Event Library. You will see a list of files on
the left side of the window.
Sting II User Guide 15
Setup Software
3. Use the UP and DOWN keys on the STING II remote control to
navigate through the files on the page. To move to another page, use
the LEFT and RIGHT keys. Navigate to the file you wish to view.
Alternatively, press on the fast forward (single >) to jump a single
page, or >> to jump forward 10 pages. Press backwards (single <) to
jump a single page or << to jump back 10 pages.
You can see the first frame of the file in the display
window on the right side.
4. Click ENTER to access the Event Library menu.
5. On the menu, use the UP and DOWN keys to navigate. In this case,
select PLAY and press ENTER.
To return to the main menu, click Menu.
Deleting One or More Files
You can delete one file or all files from the Event Library.
To delete one or more files:
1. Using the Remote Control, press the MENU key once to access the
Setup software.
2. Press ENTER to open the Event Library. You will see a list of files on
the left side of the window.
3. You can use the UP and DOWN keys on the STING II remote control
to navigate through the files on the displayed page. To move to
another page, use the LEFT and RIGHT keys. Navigate to the file
you wish to verify.
4. Click ENTER to access the Event Library menu.
5. On the menu, use the UP and DOWN keys to navigate. In this case:
• Select Delete to delete the currently highlighted file.
• Select Delete All to delete all files currently stored in the
Event Library.
You will be prompted to confirm that you wish to delete one or all of the
files. Click ENTER to proceed.
Encrypted Files
STING II has the ability to encrypt files for added security. The Encryption
option ensures that only authenticated viewers can see the files. Encrypted
files can only be decrypted by the STING II Media Center.
You cannot open an encrypted file via the Setup application or in any other
graphics viewer. To view these files, you must connect the STING II to a
Sting II User Guide 16
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