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www.NightOwlSP.com
QUICK SETUP GUIDE
XHD SERIES
Specifically
Designed for
Smart Phones
Specifically
Designed for
Tablets
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What’s in the Box
Package Contents
DVR Camera(s)
60 ft. Video/Power Cables
(1 cable per camera)
Power Splitter(s)
(1 per 4 cameras)
USB Mouse (x1)
6 ft. HDMI (x1)
DVR Power Adapter (x1) Camera Power Adapter(s)
(1 per 4 cameras)
6 ft. Ethernet (x1)
Safety Sticker (x3)
Mounting Hardware
Items Not Included
Router
Monitor
DISCLAIMER: The exact components of your system, images and quantities
may vary depending on your model number. While these may vary, this QSG
will address the setup and initial configuration of your DVR and cameras.
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DVR Rear View
Images used are for reference only. Your product may vary slightly. An 8 channel model is displayed above.
Video Inputs – Video inputs allow for the connection of BNC cameras.
Audio Output – Audio output allows for the connection of an amplified speaker.
HDMI Output – HDMI output allows for the video connection. If the TV/Monitor has
an HDMI input, connect the HDMI cable from the HDMI output port on the DVR to
the HDMI input port on your TV/Monitor. TIP: Preferred method.
VGA Output – VGA output allows for the video connection. If the TV/Monitor has a
VGA input, connect the VGA cable from the VGA output port on the DVR to the VGA
input port on your TV/Monitor (VGA Cable not included).
Audio Inputs – Audio inputs allow for the connection of audio enabled cameras by
connecting the white RCA plug to one of the audio inputs. After making the audio
input connection, be sure to enable the audio function in the DVR’s menu interface.
RJ-45 (Ethernet) Port – RJ-45 port will be used to connect the DVR to your router/
modem via the included Ethernet cable. Keep in mind, you can quickly network
your DVR to begin viewing your cameras remotely right from your mobile device by
completing the DVR’s Startup Wizard once you have connected the DVR to your
router and powered on the DVR. TIP: This is required to view cameras remotely.
USB Ports – USB ports allow for the connections of a USB mouse and/or a USB flash
drive. You will connect the included USB mouse to assist you in navigating the DVRs
menu interface. You will connect a USB flash drive to download video files from the
DVR and save them to your USB flash drive.
RS-485 (PTZ) Port – RS-485 port allows for the connection of a Pan-Tilt-Zoom
(PTZ) camera. Some PTZ cameras utilize Up-the-Coax (UTC) technology and will
not require the RS-485 port to function. TIP: Not all PTZ cameras utilize the
RS-485 port to function.
Power Input – Power input to connect the included 12V DC power supply.
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LAN / USB RS485
POWER
12 V
AUDIO INAUDIO OUTVIDEO IN HDMI
VGA
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Product Overview
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Connecting Your System
HDMI
USB
Plug included HDMI cable into
the HDMI port on the back of
the DVR.
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Plug the USB mouse into the USB
port on the back of the DVR.
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ETHERNET
Plug the included Ethernet
cable into the LAN port on
the back of the DVR.
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Plug the other end of the
HDMI cable into the back
of the TV or monitor.
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Router Not
Included
ETHERNET
Plug the other end of the
Ethernet cable into a numbered
port on the back of the router.
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STOP: BEFORE installing, test each
camera locally to confirm they function
properly Before completing the next
steps and installing your cameras, please
ensure you test each camera locally to
confirm they function properly.
TIP: To view cameras, TV/Monitor must be tuned to
the same Input the HDMI is plugged into..
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Connect the DVR power adapter
to the Power Input on the rear
of the DVR.
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Connect the red female power
leads of the video/power cables
to the male power splitter ends.
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Power Cable
Connectors
Power Splitter
Connectors
TIP: Power adapters are labeled TO CAMERA
ONLY and TO DVR ONLY.
Plug the DVR power adapter into a
surge protector or Uninterruptible
Power Supply (UPS).
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Surge
Protector not
included
TIP: Some systems will beep upon booting up.
Connect the power splitter to the
camera power adapter and plug the
adapter into a surge protector or
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS).
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Power
splitter
Camera Power
Adapter
Surge
Protector not
included
TIP: Make sure you twist and lock BNC connectors.
Connect the BNC connector of the
video/power cable labeled TO DVR
ONLY to an open video input on
the DVR.
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FROM Camera TO Camera
Connect the ends of the cable
attached to the camera to the
ends of a video/power cable
labeled TO CAMERA ONLY.
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TIP: Audio enabled cameras will
have a white RCA connector to
transmit audio signal (Optional).
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Booting Up for the First Time
On the Password Creation screen, please note the following:
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Admin Account Creation
By default, the username will be admin. It must
remain admin upon your initial account configuration.
However, you may add additional users at a later time.
TIP: Password can be any alphanumeric combination
between 6 and 20 characters.
Recovery Email Address
Please ensure you provide a valid email address
in case your ever forget your account information.
Remember Your Password
Night Owl strongly recommends writing down your
password within the Quick Setup Guide. You will need
it every time you log into your DVR and to remotely
view on a Smart Device.
Write your
password here:
Important… Please Read
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When you power on the DVR
you will be prompted with the
following screen. Please follow
the instructions to complete the
Startup Wizard.
Startup Wizard
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When you reach the Camera/Channel Settings screen, you will want
to have installed the cameras in their final position. Please make
sure you have mounted cameras at least 7ft. above the ground and
angled them slightly down.
At this stage of the Startup Wizard, you will be instructed on adjusting
the camera sensitivity and setting the Motion Detection Area. Having
your cameras in their final position will be key.
So, if you would like to detect motion for the front door to your home,
place the camera to the side of the entrance.
TIP: The infrared sensor
works best for “side to
side” movement across
the cameras field of view
as opposed to movement
directly to or away from
the camera.
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This is the last screen you will
see when you have successfully
completed the Startup Wizard.
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TIP: For additional configuration of your DVR, please refer to the owner’s
manual located on our support page at www.NightOwlSP.com.
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Creating Additional Users within the DVR
The admin of the DVR has more privileges than standard users. When configuring
your system for remote viewing, we strongly recommend not giving more than one
(1) smart device admin access. Up to three (3) users can remotely view the DVR
simultaneously. If there are multiple users who will be viewing the DVR on their
smart device, we encourage the admin to create additional users at the DVR level.
To add additional users to the DVR:
TIP: If the admin login is used on multiple smart devices simultaneously,
additional users will be able to override admin changes.
Right click to pull up the Menu.
Select Menu.
Login.
Select System.
Select User.
Select Add User.
Create a Username and Password for the new user.
Select the appropriate authority group for the user (user/admin).
Check or uncheck authority options to set user or admin permissions.
Select OK to apply new settings.
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Night Owl X & Night Owl X HD Mobile Apps
Night Owl fits right in with your mobile lifestyle by allowing you to remotely
monitor your home or business. Our free and exclusive Night Owl X app for
iOS
®
and Android™ phones and Night Owl X HD for iOS® and Android™
tablets are available in the App Store and Google Play Store.
TIP: To ensure the best customer experience make sure you download the
correct app for your device.
Night Owl X HD
Night Owl X
For remote viewing on an
iOS
®
or Android™ phone,
make sure you download
Night Owl X.
Smart Phones
For remote viewing on an
iOS
®
or Android™ tablet,
make sure you download
Night Owl X HD.
Tablets
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Using Night Owl X
Download and Install Application
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Download the appropriate app from the
App Store or Google Play Store and
install the application on your device.
TIP: Use correct app
for compatibility.
Tablet:
Night Owl X HD
Smart Phone:
Night Owl X
To confirm your email address, click
the link in the confirmation email from
“Night Owl ([email protected]) ”.
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TIP: Check your spam/junk inbox.
TIP: Setup is the same for phone
and tablet.
Create an account using an email
address for the username and a
password between 6–20 characters.
This account allows the user to login
to multiple Night Owl devices. Please
note, this is NOT the login info created
for the DVR, this login is unique to the
Night Owl X and Night Owl X HD apps.
The DVR login should be stored on
page 5, step #2 of this QSG.
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STOP: You MUST complete Step 3 before continuing! Go to
your email, open the Confirmation email from Night Owl, and
click the “Confirm Email” link. You MUST confirm your email
to use the App!
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A device can be added to the Night Owl X App by using the application’s
Smart Auto Detection or through a QR Code Setup. With Smart Auto Detection,
your DVR will automatically be detected by the Night Owl X software, making
connecting easy! To use this preferred method, ensure your Smart Device and
DVR are both on the same network.
Connecting and Adding your Device
If your Smart Device and DVR are on the
same network, the Smart Auto Detection
will auto find your DVR. If this method
is not available, please use the QR Code
Setup from step 4B below.
4A
Smart Auto Detection
4B
To use the QR Code Setup, select Setup
device by QR Code and hover your Smart
Device camera lens over the QR Code
located on the top of your DVR.
QR Code Setup
Ethernet Cable
WIFI
TIP: When adding a new device, it may take 5–10 minutes before you begin
receiving notifications.
To begin adding a new device, first select
the yellow plus sign within the Device menu.
Adding a Device
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Using Night Owl X
admin is case sensitive
(all lowercase).
TIP: This is the password of your DVR, NOT the password used
to login to the Night Owl X App.
If you are the admin, the password will be the same password
you created during the Startup Wizard and should be stored on
page 5 of this QSG. If you are a user, it will be the password you
use to login to the DVR.
Login to your App
On the Device Login screen, enter the login information for the DVR
(Remember, the DVR login and Night Owl X app login are different). The
DVR username is admin by default. If you are not the admin, login with your
username credentials. If you do not have a username and password, please
contact the admin and have them create one for you using the instructions
on page 7 of this QSG.
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Notifications
Manage custom
Push Notifications.
Live View
Displays real-time
footage of your
system.
Playback
View recordings &
images and save them
to your phone’s album.
App Overview
Settings
Display connected devices,
change view layout, view
favorites, manage accounts
and access the help section.
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The Night Owl X Control Management Software (CMS) allows you to view your
Night Owl Security system remotely from a PC or Mac
®
. Additionally, you can
playback recorded video, save video and images directly to your PC or Mac
®
,
configure numerous settings such as channel names and set record preferences.
To download the CMS Software:
Go to www.NightOwlSP.com.
Click on the Support tab.
In the search bar, type “X CMS”.
Download the Night Owl X CMS software.
Once downloaded, select PC or Mac®.
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Night Owl X CMS Software
Access your DVR from any computer, anywhere!
Using Night Owl X CMS Software
Device Manager
Add and configure
available DVRs and
cameras on your network.
Playback
View system recordings
and images and save them
directly to your PC or Mac®.
Live View
Viewing live video, controlling
PTZ functionality and setting
image parameters.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does my DVR have to be connected to the Internet?
Your DVR does not require an Internet connection for basic operation, but
you will need to connect the DVR to your router in order to remotely view
your system on a PC/Mac
®
or Smart Device.
2. Does my DVR have to be connected to a TV or monitor?
For initial setup, you will need to connect your DVR to a TV or monitor. After
completing the initial setup, your DVR does not need to be connected to a TV or
monitor to view or capture recordings. You can view your system using the Night
Owl X CMS Software on a PC/Mac
®
or by downloading the Night Owl X or Night
Owl X HD apps on your Smart Device.
3. Are my cameras weatherproof?
Yes, your cameras are weatherproof and will endure minimal moisture and dirt/
debris. However, Night Owl strongly recommends placing all outdoor cameras
under an eave or awning to help shield them from overexposure to the elements,
which could reduce your camera’s lifespan.
4. Why does my camera stop working at night?
It is possible that your camera is not receiving enough power for the LEDs
needed for Night Vision. Try plugging that camera directly into the camera power
adapter (bypassing the splitter) to see if the LEDs turn on. If they do, you may
need to purchase an additional camera power adapter for that camera.
5. Why is the Night Owl X or Night Owl X HD app not accepting my password?
The Night Owl apps will require two passwords to configure: one password will be
used to login to the app itself and the second will be the admin password of your
DVR. In order to add a device to the app, you will need to enter the DVR’s admin
password. Please refer to pages 5 and 7 of this QSG. Remember, when setting up
your Night Owl X or Night Owl X HD app, you must confirm your email by clicking
the “Confirm Email” link sent by Night Owl upon initial application configuration.
6. Why can’t I connect using the Night Owl X app, Night Owl X HD app or
Night Owl X CMS Software?
If you are having trouble connecting using our mobile app or client software,
A) your Night Owl system may not be connected to a router, B) the latest
firmware or client software may not be installed on your computer or mobile
device or, C) the password may have been entered incorrectly or, D) You may
need to restart your DVR and try again.
FAQs
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Rev 170727
www.NightOwlSP.com
EMAIL
Sales Support
Technical Support
PHONE (English, Spanish & French)
Sales/ Technical Support
1.866.390.1303
Live Chat 24/7, 365 days a year
WEBSITE
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Please visit www.NightOwlSP.com.
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Enter your product’s model number in the search bar.
Access the support material needed.
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