Safety Vision Observer 4000 User Manual

OBSERVER™ 4000

USER GUIDE

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

Important Notices

Title: Observer™ 4000 User Guide
Document Version: 1.0
Firmware version: X01-4-T570721

Safety Vision attempts to provide information contained
in this manual based on the latest product information
available at the time of publication. However, because of
Safety Vision’s policy of continual product improvement,
Safety Vision reserves the right to amend the information in
this document at any time without prior notice.

This material is condential and the property of Safety
Vision. It is shared with your company for the sole purpose
of helping you with the operation of the described
equipment.

Safety Vision makes no warranty of any kind with regard
to this material, including, but not limited to, the implied
warranties of merchantability and tness for a particular
purpose. Safety Vision shall not be liable for errors
contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages
in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of
this material.

Safety Vision expressly disclaims all responsibility and
liability for the installation, use, performance, maintenance,
and support of third-party products. Customers are advised
to make their independent evaluation of such products.

No part of this document may be photocopied, reproduced,
or translated to another language without the prior written
consent of Safety Vision.

Safety Vision® is a registered trademark of Safety Vision, LLC. All
other products or name brands mentioned in this document are
trademarks of their respective owners. For more information
about Safety Vision and its products, go to www.
safetyvision.com or call 800-880-8855.

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

Table of Contents

Components 2
Main Wiring Diagram 4
Installation 5

SD Card Removal/Insertion 6

Remote Control 7
Live View 8
Menu Navigation 8
Video Playback 9

Exporting Video Files 11

Conguration 12

System Menu 12

Record Menu 21

Event Menu 28

1

Peripheral Menu 36

System Information 38
Appendix A: Specications 41
Appendix B: Dimensions 42

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

2

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

Components

1 - IR Remote Sensor - The IR Remote Sensor receives

signals from the DVR Remote Control.

2 - Status LEDs - The Status LEDs illuminate to display

the current status of the DVR. See chart at left.

3 - USB Port - Insert a USB ash drive to download events

quickly without having to remove the SD card or hard drive,
or upload rmware updates.

4 - SIM Card Slot - Not used.

5 - Primary SD Card Slot - Insert an SD card into the

slot until it clicks. To remove the SD card, briey press it in
until it ejects.

6 - Mirror/Secondary SD Card Slot - Insert an SD

card into the slot until it clicks. To remove the SD card,
briey press it in until it ejects. This SD card can be used for
mirror recording or as a secondary storage device once the
primary SD card is full.

STATUS LEDS

REC

PWR

ERR

VLOSS

GPS

ALM

One or more cameras is detached or malfunctioning

Solid - GPS searching for signal/Flashing - GPS has locked on

DVR is recording video

DVR is receiving power

Error may have occured

Event/alarm has occured

For further information regarding
the conguration of the DVR, see the
Conguration section.

1 - Sensor Port - Connection for the 4000-Trigger sensor harness.

3

2 - GPS Antenna Port - Connection an external GPS antenna.

3 - RS232 Port - Connection for optional RS232 accessories such as a Garmin GPS

antenna.

4 - A/V OUT Port - Connection for 4000-A/VOUT-ADA to an external monitor.

5 - A/V IN 1-4 Ports - Connection for SV-A/V-INPUTADA to cameras.

6 - Power Port - Connection for the 41-PWRHRNS main power harness.

7 - Debug Port - For Service Technician use only.

4

Main Wiring Diagram

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

5

Tab l e A

Cable Length

SVS -3MMF

SVS-5MMF

SV S-10 MMF

SV S-15 MMF

SVS-20MMF

10’

16’

33’

49’

65’

Installation

Flat Mount

Secure the DVR to the surface with self-tapping
screws or rivets.

Ensure that the front panel of the DVR
remains accessible and there is a minimum

2.5 inches of clearance for cables.. Do not
install the DVR in an area of the vehicle cabin
that could interfere with the safe operation
of the vehicle.

6

SD Card Removal/Insertion

Do not force the SD card into the slot
upside down or backwards.

Ensure the SD card’s write protection
slider is in the “unlocked” position.

Do not remove the SD card until the
DVR is turned o.

1. Insert the key into the faceplate

lock and turn it counter-clockwise.

2. Release the faceplate latch.

3. Open the faceplate.

Opening the faceplate automatically
turns the DVR o.

4. Wait until the DVR has completely

powered down (PWR status LED
has turned o).

5. Flip down the SD card slot door.

6. Insert an SD card into the SD card

slot label-side up, with the notch to
the right, until it clicks in place.

To remove the SD card, press the SD
card as far as it will go in the slot, then
allow it to “spring” out.

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

Remote Control

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

7

The Observer remote control is used to navigate through
the conguration menus or to control video playback on an
external monitor. Point the remote control at the IR receiver
on the front panel of the Observer to make selections.

Power - Use this key to power the Observer on or o.

DO NOT power o the unit while the ignition is on, otherwise
the unit will not automatically power on when ignition is
reapplied.

Login/Lock - Quickly access the login screen or secure the
unit when already logged in. Login values can be set in the
conguration menu.

1 - Numeric Keypad - Use the numeric keypad to

input numerical values when conguring the system.
Additionally, you can use the 1, 2, 3, and 4 keys to display
that numbered video channel during video playback. Press
the 0 key to switch between displaying individual channels
and a quad view.

2 - + and - Keys - Use the + and - keys to increase or

decrease values by one.

Video - Switch between VGA output and the front composite
external monitor output.

Brightness, Contrast, and Color - Press this key repeatedly
to toggle between brightness, contrast, and color options for
each individual channel. Use the + and - keys to adjust each
value.

Setup - Quickly access the conguration menu. Login may
be required.

Exit - Quickly return to the previous menu while viewing
conguration menus. Pressing this key on the main
conguration menu returns to the live view.

Pause/Step - During video playback, press this key to pause
the video. Press this key again to advance video playback by
one frame.

Play - Press this key to resume regular speed video playback
when video is paused or stopped.

Slow - Press this key to slow down video playback.

3 - Navigation Buttons - Use the four arrow keys to

navigate between input elds or menu selections when
conguring the system. Use the Enter key in the center of
the arrow keys to make selections. During video playback
the left and right arrow keys can be used to rewind or fast­forward. Press the Enter key while viewing the live view to
display a comprehensive status screen.

4 - Additional Remote Control Keys

VGA - Switch the output mode of the external monitor to

VGA1, VGA2, or VGA3.

GoTo - Press this key to quickly access video recorded at a
certain time. When playing back video, press this key and
input the desired time. Press Play to begin video playback.

Stop - Press this key to manually stop video recording.

Record - Press this key to manually begin recording again

once it has stopped.

8

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

Live View

Attach an external monitor to the A/V OUT port while the DVR is on to view the
Live View.

Menu Navigation

Press the Setup or Login/Lock keys on the remote control while an external monitor is connected to access the DVR menu.

You must login with a password using the number keys on the remote if one has been set in the User Security conguration
menu.

The default unit number is 0 and the default password is 88888888.

For more information on setting the device password, navigate to Conguration, then System, then User Security.

Use the up and down arrow navigational keys to switch between the Video Playback, Conguration, and Information icons and
display their associated menus.

Use the right arrow key to select and expand successive menu options. Use the left arrow key to return to collapse the current
menu option and return to the previous menu option.

The DVR does not record video when menus are displayed.

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

Video Playback

To view recorded video with an attached external monitor,
use the remote to access the menu, then select the rst icon.
The All Files and Event Files options appear.

Select the All Files option to review all recorded video
stored.

Select the Event Files option to review only video marked as
events.

All Files

Use the elds on the right side of the
screen to select the appropriate criteria
of the recorded video for which you want
to search. The select SEARCH. Available
video appears on the calendar display.
Green days indicate normal video was
recorded, red days indicate event les
were recorded. Use the remote control
to select the day and press the enter key.

9

The Record Search screen displays. Se­lect channels 1-4 or channels 5-8 in the
CHANNEL eld. For each channel, the
type of video recorded is indicated by
dierent colors. Use the START TIME and
END TIME elds to display the selected
time of day. When the video you are
searching for is displayed, select PL AY,
EXPORT, or LOCK/UNLOCK.

10

Event Files

SEL: Use the arrow and Enter keys on the
remote control to select or unselect each
le. Selected les can then be exported.
Multiple les can be selected at one time.
EVENT NAME: Displays the type of event
that triggered the video recording.
DATE: Displays the date on which the video
was recorded.
TIME: Displays the time the video recording
started.
FIRST, PGUP, PGDW, LAST: Use the arrow
and Enter keys to select these options to
scroll through screens of the displayed
les (if there are more les than can be
displayed on one screen).

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

Exporting Video Files

Video les can be exported to a USB
thumb drive inserted into the USB port
on the front of the DVR.

To manually export video les, use the
following procedure:

1. Select each le you want to export

in the SEL column.

2. Insert a USB thumb drive into the

USB port on the front panel of the
DVR.

3. Select the Export option on the

right side of the screen.

A Remark window appears.

4. Select Sure.

A progress bar appears, as well as the
total number of les being exported.

5. When the “Backup Successful”

message appears, select OK.

6. Remove the USB thumb drive.

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

11

To automatically export alarm video les recorded the same
day as the present, use the following procedure:

1. Ensure ON is selected in the EVENT FILES AUTO-

EXPORT (USB) eld in the General

menu (see page 15).

2. Insert a USB thumb drive into the

USB port on the front panel of the
DVR.

3. Press the F1 key on the remote

control.

A message appears to indicate video
is automatically exporting to the
USB drive. If no alarm video les are
present, a message will appear.
For video to be marked as alarm,
the recording must be initiated by a
sensor congured as an alarm. For
more information about conguring a
sensor as an alarm, see page 33.

4. When the “Backup Successful”

message appears, select OK.

5. Remove the USB thumb drive.

If the amount of video being
downloaded exceeds the capacity of the USB thumb
drive being used, a prompt appears requesting that an
additional thumb drive be inserted to conclude the export.

Exported les are saved on the root directory of the USB
thumb drive. Files are titled rst by Unit ID, then Alarm Log,
then the date recorded.

12

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

Conguration

Select the Conguration icon to display the System, Record,
Network, and Event menus.

These menu options allow you to congure how the DVR
operates, in addition to setting passwords and updating the
rmware.

System Menu

Date/Time

The Date/Time menu determines the
system time that appears on recorded
video.

Date: Use the number keys on
the remote to set the current date
manually.
FORMAT: Select from middle endian
(MM/DD/YYYY), little endian (DD/MM/
YYYY), or big endian (YYYY-MM-DD)
date formats.

Time: Use the number keys on
the remote to set the current time
manually.
FORMAT: Select from 12 hour (12H) or
24 hour (24H) time formats.
TIME SYNC SOURCE: Select Global
Positioning System (GPS) or manual
(NONE).
TIME ZONE: Select how many hours the local time zone is
deviated from GMT. (In the United States, Eastern is “-5”,
Central is “-6”, Mountain is “-7”, and Pacic is “-8”.)
DST: Turn Daylight Savings Time adjustments on (ON) or o
(OFF).
DST MODE: Only available when DST is set to ON. Select
AUTO to adjust the time automatically at 2:00 AM on
the selected Sunday in March and the rst Sunday in
November, or select CUSTOM to select which Sundays in
which months.

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

Options

The General menu determines the
behavior of the DVR upon start up
and shutdown, in addition to other
controls.

ON/OFF TYPE: Select TIMER to display
the START UP TIME, SHUT DOWN
TIME, and BOOT UP ON SCHEDULE
elds. This option automatically
starts and shuts down the DVR at the
specied time. Select the IGNITION
option to power the DVR only when
the vehicle starts. This displays the

SHUT DOWN DELAY MIN eld. Select
TIMER OR IGNITION to include both

types of start up and shutdown
parameters.

(ON/OFF TYPE: TIMER)
BOOT UP TIME: Use the number keys

on the remote control to manually enter the time the DVR
starts up each day.
SHUT DOWN TIME: Use the number keys on the remote
control to manually enter the time the DVR shuts down each
day.
AUTO BOOT UP ON SCHEDULE: Select ON to begin
recording automatically upon start up. Select OFF to require
recording be manually triggered.

13

When the ON/OFF TIME eld is set to
TIMER, the DVR automatically shuts
down after ve minutes when it is
turned on outside of the time specied.
To turn this feature o, enter this menu
and select IGNITION in the ON/OFF
TYPE eld.

(ON/OFF TYPE: IGNITION)
SHUT DOWN DELAY MIN: Use the number keys on the

remote control to manually enter the time (in minutes)
that the DVR continues to record after the vehicle has been
powered down.

IDLE TIME SEC: Use the number keys on the remote control
to enter the time (in seconds) that the conguration menus
display without input before automatically exiting to the live
view.
EVENT FILES TO AUTO-EXPORT (USB): This eld is not
currently active.

ASPECT RATIO: Select 4:3 or 16:9 to match the aspect ratio
of the external monitor.
TRANSPARANCY: Select the level of transparency of the on­screen menus.

14

Register Info

The Register menu includes the
assorted serial numbers and names
unique to the DVR for identication.

UNIT S/N: The DVR’s serial number.
This number is unique and cannot be
changed.
UNIT ID: The DVR’s identifying
number. Use the number keys on
the remote control to input a unique
number ranging from “00000” to
“99999”.
COMPANY NAME.: Use the arrow keys
on the remote control to enter the
name of the agency to which the DVR
belongs.
VEHICLE NO.: Use the number keys
on the remote control to enter the
number of the vehicle in which the
DVR is installed.
DRIVER/ROUTE NAME: Use the arrow keys on the remote
control to enter the driver’s name and/or their route name,
up to 5 characters.

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

Format

Formatting a device erases all existing
data, including recorded video.

Use the following procedure to format
a device:

1. Use the arrow keys on the

remote control to select a device
from the drop-down menu.

Available devices include SD
(inserted SD card), or USB (inserted
USB ash drive).

2. Select OK.

A Warning message appears.

3. Select OK.

4. The format process begins.

When nished, the DVR restarts
automatically.

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

15

Formatting a device erases all data,
including recorded video.
Use with caution.

16

Upgrade

Periodically Safety Vision releases
new rmware updates for the DVR to
increase functionality and features.

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

Use the following procedure to update the DVR rmware:

1. Obtain the rmware update le

from Safety Vision Technical Support.

2. In the root directory of a USB ash drive create a

folder titled dvrupgrade.

3. Place the rmware update le in the dvrupgrade

folder.

4. Insert the USB ash drive in the front USB port of the

DVR.

5. Access the Upgrade menu.

6. Ensure FIRMWARE is selected in the drop-down

menu.

7. The MCU update function is not active at this time.

8. Select UPGRADE.

The update process begins.
The DVR rst checks for an appropriate upgrade le. If one
is detected, it automatically restarts.
Upon restarting, the DVR displays “System Updating...” on
the external monitor while it installs the upgrade.
When complete, “System Initializing...” is displayed, and
the DVR starts as normal.
The rmware update has been successfully installed and it
is safe to remove the USB ash drive.

The rmware can only be updated to
a version more current the rmware
currently installed.

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

User Security

The User Security menu controls the
password needed to access the DVR
menus.

PASSWORD ENABLE: Select ON to
require a password to access the DVR’s
menus; select OFF to disable this
feature and allow free access.
SELECT USER: Select a user level to set
a password for:

- ADMINISTRATOR: has full access
rights, including ability to change
passwords, format storage media, and
export or delete the system log

- POWER USER: same as
ADMINISTRATOR rights, but cannot
change passwords, format storage
media, or export or delete the system
log

- USER: may only view video and video logs (cannot access
conguration menus)

PASSWORD: Enter an eight-digit password with the number
keys on the remote control for the selected user level.
RE-ENTER: Enter the same eight-digit password as you
did in the above eld to conrm it is the
password you want to set. If the password
is dierent, an error message appears.

17

The default unit number is 0 and the default
password is 88888888.

When ON is selected in the PASSWORD
ENABLE eld, the User Login screen
appears when attempting to enter the DVR
menus. Enter “0” in the ID eld, then enter
the assigned password.

18

Cong

The Cong menu allows you to export
to or import from a USB drive all of the
DVR’s settings, which is useful when
conguring multiple units in the same
manner or creating a backup.

DEFAULT SETTINGS: Select RESTORE
to revert all settings tot he factory
defaults.
RESET ALL HISTORY INFO: Select
RESET to erase all stored data in the
History menu in System Information.
EXPORT CURRENT SETTINGS: To
export all of the current settings to a
USB ash drive, insert one in the front
USB port and select EXPORT. The
settings are automatically saved as
DVRcfg.cfg on the root directory of the
USB ash drive.
IMPORT SETTING FILE: To import
a settings le, ensure the DVRcfg.cfg le is on the root
directory of a USB ash drive, insert it into the front USB
port, and select IMPORT.

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

System Log

The System Log menu allows the
user log or pictures to be exported or
deleted. The system log le contains a
log of which users accessed the DVRs
conguration menus and at what time
and date.

To export the user log le:

1. Insert a USB ash drive into the

front USB port.

2. Select EXPORT SYSTEM LOG.

The system log is automatically
exported to the USB ash drive.

To delete the user log:

1. Select DELETE SYSTEM LOG.

A remark window appears.

2. Select OK/SURE.

The system log is deleted.

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

19

Pictures can be exported and deleted using the EXPORT
PICTURES and DELETE PICTURES buttons using the same
procedures as described above.

20

Blackbox File

The Blackbox File menu downloads a
“blackbox” le to a USB drive inserted
into the DVR’s USB port. This blackbox
le contains metadata on assorted
parameters of the DVR.

1. Insert a USB ash drive into the

DVR’s USB port.

2. Select the BLACKBOX FILE op-

tion.

A prompt appears as the blackbox
le is automatically downloaded to
the USB drive.

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

Record Menu

The Record Menu contains parameters that control how

video is recorded.

Options (Page 1)

The Options menu contains most of
the parameters that control how long
and when the DVR records video.

21

VIDEO TYPE: Select NTSC or PAL.
RECORD MODE: Select GENERAL

to began full-time recording
automatically when the DVR is
powered on. Select TIMER to begin
recording as dened in the Time
Record menu. Select EVENT to record
only when an event is triggered.
NORMAL RECORD RATE: Select
NORMAL to record video at the
quality specied in the Record Setting
menu at all times. Select 1 FRAME
to normally record only 1 frame per
second, until an event is triggered,
when recording will automatically
switch to the quality specied in the
Record Setting menu. This option is
useful to conserve storage space.
RECORD FILE TIME: Select the duration (15, 30, 45, 60
minutes) of recording packets.

ALARM DURATION: Select the amount of time, from 3 to 30
seconds, to be recorded and marked as an event.
ALARM POST REC TIME: Select the amount of time, up to
1800 seconds, to be recorded after triggering an event.
OUTPUT DUR. TIME: Select the duration of time (between
0-240 seconds) that an optional electrical output is sent
during an alarm.

If an event is trigger while another
event is being recorded it will be
considered one event. The event will
end after the second trigger and the
time specied in the ALARM DURATION
eld.

22

Options (Page 2)

METADATA CAP T URE: Select ON to
record meta-data with recorded video.
Select OFF to record video only.
HDD/SD OVERWRITE: Select ON to
overwrite the oldest video existent on
the storage media when storage space
is near capacity. Select OFF to stop
all recording video after the storage
media is full (necessitating manual le
deletion).
LOCKED FILE RETENTION: Select the
number of days locked les remain
locked, before they become unlocked
(and able to be overwritten). Select 7,
10, 15, 20, 30, or 45 days.
ALARM PRE-RECORDING: Select 15,
30, 45 or 60 minute le packing sizes
(optional)
ALARM PRE-REC TIME: Select 15,
30, 45 or 60 minute le packing sizes
(optional)

SD CARD TYPE: Select INTERNAL.
RECORD MODE OF STORAGE: Select from the following

options:

• OFF - Disable any recording to the secondary SD card.

• SUB - Enable mirror recording to the secondary SD card.

Data recorded to the primary SD card is duplicated on
the secondary SD card in case the primary SD card fails

• CYC REC - Enable cycle recording to the secondary

SD card. Cycle recording begins recording to the
secondary SD card when the primary SD card is full.

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

See the Event List section for more
information on locked and unlocked
les.

Options (Page 3)

VIDEO LOSS REC: Select ON to continue recording a video
channel when a video loss occurs. Select OFF to cease
recording when a video loss occurs.

OSD Overlay

The OSD Overlay menu selects what
elements appear on the on-screen
display.

Select OFF or ON from the LIVE VIEW
column to display the associated
element when you press the Enter key
on the remote control when the DVR is
in Live View.

Select OFF or ON from the RECORD
column to make this information
available when reviewing recorded
video.

Additionally the DATE/TIME eld can
be moved to the TOP or BOTTOM of
the screen.

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

23

The following information is available to be displayed:

DATE/TIME: The date and time of the recording.
ALARM: The trigger that initiated the recording (if active)
ACCEL. DATA: This data is not available for the Observer

4000.

TEMPERATURE: The internal temperature of the DVR.
FIRMWARE VER.: The current rmware version installed on

the DVR.
GPS INFO: The direction the vehicle is traveling as
determined by the optional GPS module

CH NAME: The name of the camera displayed
VEHICLE NO.: The vehicle number as entered in the

Register Info menu

24

Camera Settings

The Camera Setting menu controls
which cameras are recorded and
displayed in the live view.

Select the following for each camera:

ENABLE: Select ON to enable
recording of this camera.
NAME: Enter an optional alphanumeric
name for each specic camera.
AUDIO: Select ON to enable audio
recording for this camera.
LIVE: Select ON to display this camera
in the live view.
ENCODE: Select CBR for constant bit
rate (keeps camera bit rate constant
regardless of motion, but less ecent
in using storage space) or VBR for
variable bit rate (varies bit rate
depending on motion for for ecent
storage usage).

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

CYCLE: Select ON to display the cameras in a loop (the
cameras display in succession in full screen mode).
CYCLE TIME: Enter the amount of time (between 5 and 300
seconds) to display each camera before advancing to the
next one.
LIVE AUDIO: Select ON to enable audio to play during the
Live View.

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

Record Settings

The Record Setting menu controls the
framerate and resolution of recorded
video. Each camera’s parameters can
be set independently.

Select the following for each channel:

RES: Select the resolution of this
camera. Select from D1 (704×576),

HD1 (704×288), or CIF (354×288).
FR: Select the frame rate in seconds of
this camera. Select from 1 to 30 FPS.
NORMAL QUALITY: Select the quality

of recording during normal recording,
with 1 being the best (for optimal
images) and 8 being the lowest (for
optimized recording time).
ALARM QUALITY: Select the quality
of recording during an event, with 1
being the best (for optimal images) and
8 being the lowest (for optimized recording time).

25

26

Sub-Streaming

The Sub-Streaming menu is similar to
the Record Setting menu, except it
controls the quality of a camera’s sub­stream.

Select the following for each channel:

ENABLE: Select ON to enable this
camera for sub-streaming. Select OFF
to disable it.
RES: Select the resolution for this
camera when sub-streaming. Select
from CIF or QCIF.
FR: Select the frame rate in seconds
of this camera when sub-streaming.
Select from 1 to 30 FPS.

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

Schedule

The Schedule menu allows to the
DVR to begin and end recording
automatically based on a timed
schedule.

In the DATE column to select from
EVERY (every day), WEEKDAY (Monday
thru Friday) or individual days.
Asterisks (******) disable automatic
recording during the selected times on
that line.

SCHEDULE 1 and SCHEDULE 2 allow
two dierent recording times during
the same day, for example, if the
vehicle operates during two dierent
shifts.

Enter automatic recording times using
the number keys on the remote control
in the HH:MM:SS-HH:MM:SS format, where the rst time
is when recording will begin and the second time is when
recording will stop. All times are in the 24-hour format.

For each scheduled time, select CON (for continuous
recording) or ALARM (for event-based recording) in the
TYPE eld.

27

Scheduled recording times starting
before midnight (23:59:59 and before)
that end the next day (00:00:00 and
afterwards) continue recording without
interruption.

Select the duration of your agency-specic work week in
the WKD: WEEKDAY FROM: elds. This indicates the days
scheduled recordings occur when set to WEEKDAY.

28

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

Event Menu

The Event Menu contains parameters that control connected

sensor inputs and how events are recorded.

Sensor

The Sensor menu controls each sensor
input that triggers events. The DVR
supports up to eight inputs and can
congure each one individually.

Use the remote control to congure
the following for each individual input:

ENABLE: Select ON to enable this
sensor for input. Select OFF to disable
it.
NAME: Press Enter on the remote
control to display an on-screen
keyboard and enter the name for this
sensor here.
OSD: Press Enter on the remote control
to display an on-screen keyboard and
enter an abbreviated or truncated
name of the sensor here. This name
appears in the OSD while reviewing
video in Foresight SD.
SE T: Select LOW for low to high (normally closed, NC), or
select HIGH for high to low (normally open, NO).
ALARM: Select ON to enable the ALM LED on the front of the
DVR when a sensor is triggered and marks video as “R” so
that it can be automatically downloaded (see page 13). This
LED continues to ash after an event is triggered until the
conguration menus are accessed.
LOCK: Select ON to lock the video of the event recorded
when this sensor is triggered (not allowing it to be
overwritten).

A sensor must be installed and
wired properly to the DVR in order
for it to function properly. For more
information see the Installation
section.

Sensor Trigger Action

Select NEX T PAGE on the Sensor
menu to access this menu.

The Sensor Trigger Action menu
allows a channel to be displayed in
fullscreen when an event is triggered.

For each sensor, select a channel to
displayed in the FULL SCREEN eld
when that sensor is active. Select an
individual camera or the “1-4” option,
which displays a quad-view. Enter the
amount of time channels are displayed
in full screen in the FULL SCREEN TIME
eld.

Lower numbered sensors override
later ones. For example, if both sensor
1 and sensor 4 are active, the camera
assigned to sensor 1 is displayed.

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

29

30

Alarm Output

The Sensor Alarm Output menus select which
outputs are active when certain alarms are
triggered.

For each alarm type, select ON or OFF for outputs
1 and 2 (OUT1 and OUT2). Select ON in the SNAP
eld for each alarm type to produce a .jpg snapshot
when that alarm is triggered.

OVERSPEED, LOW SPEED, HIGH TEMP., LOW TEMP.,
type alarms are controlled by settings in the
Speedand Temperature menus, respectively.

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

Speed

The Speed menu controls the speed
type (SPDL and SPDO) events.

Use the remote control to congure
the following options:

SPEED SOURCE: Select VEHICLE to
obtain vehicle speed data from the
vehicle’s own speedometer, or GPS to
obtain this data from the GPS signal.

For more information about connecting
the DVR to a vehicle speedometer, please
contact Safety Vision Technical Support.

SPEED UNIT: Select MPH to use miles
per hour or KPH to use kilometers per
hour.

ALARM SETTING: Select the
following options for LOWSPEED and
OVERSPEED:

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

31

ENABLE: Select ON to enable this
SPEED event. Select OFF to disable it.
THRESHOLD: Use the number keys on
the remote control to enter the speed
at which the event is triggered.
ALARM: Select ON to enable the ALM
LED on the front of the DVR when the
THRESHOLD speed is reached and an
event is triggered. This LED continues
to ash after an event is triggered until
the conguration menus are accessed.
LOCK: Select ON to lock the video
of the recorded event when the
THRESHOLD speed is reached (not
allowing it to be overwritten).

Speed (Page 2)

SPEEDING VOICE INTERVAL: Enter the
amount of time (between 15 and 600
seconds) between which an optional
voice notication is sounded when a
Speed type alarm occurs.
SPEEDING DELAY: Enter the amount of time, in seconds,
between when the entered speed is exceeded and an alarm
actually occurs.

32

Camera

The Camera menu controls camera
motion detection settings and
associated events.

Use the remote control to congure the
following options:

MOTION DETECT SETTINGS

CH ID: Select the channel to congure

the following settings.
M.D. SENSITIVE: Select the sensitivity
of the motion detection feature, with
3 being the most sensitive. The more
sensitive the motion detection, the
smaller the movements can be that
trigger events.
M.D.AREA: Select Setup to enter the
motion detection setup screen. Use
the cross keys on the remote control
to shade in red the area of view that is
monitored for motion. Use the Enter key to switch between
shading and not shading. This is useful when the camera’s
angle of view covers both areas with frequent motion and
monitored areas.
B.D.SENSITIVE: The blind detection feature senses when
a camera’s view may be purposely blocked. Select the
sensitivity of the blind detection feature, with 3 being the
most sensitive. The more sensitive the blind detection, the
smaller the movements can be that trigger events.

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

ALARM SETTINGS

For each type of alarm (BLIND, MOTION, and VIDEO LOSS),
select ON or OFF for the following:

EN: Select ON to enable the event. Select OFF to disable it.
ALARM: Select ON to enable the ALM LED on the front of the

DVR when the event is triggered. This LED continues to ash
after an event is triggered until the conguration menus are
accessed.
LOCK: Select ON to lock the video of the recorded event.

Low Voltage Protection

The Low Voltage Protection menu
controls the voltage threshold before
the DVR shuts down automatically to
protect itself.

Use the remote control to congure
the following:

ENABLE: Select ON to enable voltage
protection.
LOW VOLTAG E : Enter the minimum
voltage, in volts, that the DVR can
receive before it automatically
disconnects from the CMS or shuts
down.
VOLTAG E OF START: Enter the voltage,
in volts, that the vehicle typically
drops to during startup (the ignition
key is turned).
INTERNAL TIME FOR CMS: This option
is not supported by the Observer 4000.

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

33

34

Snap Settings

The Snap Settings menu enables
snapshot mode for each camera.
When snapshot mode is enabled,
video is recorded in a series of snap
shots taken in a constant interval. This
may reduce storage usage for some
non-critical camera views.

For each camera, select ON to enable
snapshot mode.

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

Fatigue Driving

The Fatigue Driving menu congures
an available alarm parameter that
denes how long a vehicle operator is
authorized to drive and how long he
must rest.

First select ON in the FAT I GUE
DRIVING SWITCH eld to activate the
feature.

Enter the time the operator is
authorized to drive continuously
before resting in the DRIVING
DURATION eld in HH:MM:SS format.
When a driver exceeds this time
(based on the DVR being powered on
continuously), an alarm is recorded.

Enter the time a driver must rest
between turning the vehicle (and DVR)
o before resuming operation in the REST DURATION eld
in HH:MM:SS format.

35

36

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

Peripheral Menu

The Peripheral Menu contains parameters that control

optional connected peripheral accessories.

Ext. Com. Setup

The Ext. Com. Setup menu enables
optional connections to the RS232
port.

MODE: Select STANDARD.
RS2 32-1: Select NONE or EXT GPS for

the optional Garmin GPS antenna.

Language Switch

The Language Switch menu allows you
to change the language of the DVR’s
conguration menus.

In the CHOOSE LANGUAGE eld,
select English, Russian, Spanish, Polish,
Portugese, or Turkish.

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

37

38

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

System Information

Select the System Information icon to display the System,
History, Modules, and Authorized menus.

These menu options display unique information and history
about the DVR unit.

System

The System menu displays the rm­ware version and information on the
SD card.

FIRMWARE VERSION: The version of
rmware currently installed.
MCU VERSION: The MCU feature is not
active at this time.

DEVICE NAME: Displays the name of
the storage unit.
CAPACITY: Displays the overall capac­ity of the storage unit, in gigabytes
(GB).
FREE SPACE: Displays the remaining
storage capacity of the storage unit, in
gigabytes (GB).
RECORD CAPACITY: Displays the over­all recording capacity of the storage
device (in hours), based on the capacity
and setting made in the conguration menus.

If information about a storage device
is displayed in this menu, it is operating
as normal.

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

History Info

The History Info menu consists of three pages.
Select CLEAR next to any record to reset it.

HIGHEST SPEED IN HISTORY: Displays the highest
obtained speed, including the date and time it was
recorded (assuming speed data is collected).
MILEAGE HISTORY: Displays the total amount of
miles (or kilometers) driven.

LOWEST VOLTAGE IN HISTORY: Displays the lowest
received voltage, including the date and time it was
recorded.
HIGHEST VOLTAGE IN HISTORY: Displays the
highest received voltage, including the date and
time it was recorded.

39

LOWEST TEMP IN HISTORY: Displays the lowest
internal temperature, including the date and time it
was recorded.
HIGHEST TEMP IN HISTORY: Displays the highest
internal temperature, including the date and time it
was recorded.

40

Module Status

The Modules menu displays the status
of optional installed modules.

GPS MODULE: Displays NORMAL if a
GPS module is installed; NONE is one
is not.
GPS SIGNAL: Displays if the GPS signal
received is valid.

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

Appendix A: Specications

SPECIFICATIONS

Operating System

Video Standard

Audio/Video Inputs

Audio/Video Output

Audio/Video Compression

Resolution*

Frame Rate*

Image Qualit y (Bit Rate)

Recording Mod e

Pre-Event Recording

Post-Event Recording

Mirror Recording

GPS (Antenna Included)

Storage (lockable) 1 × Class 10 SD Card (128GB max)

Interfaces

Sensor Inputs

Power Input

Power Output

Power Consumption

Dimensions (w x h x d)

Weight

Operating Temperature

Relative Humidity

Certicates

Conguration

WITH A SAFETY VISION MONITOR

On Screen Dis play

Display Split

Playback

Search Mode

Embedded Real Time Linux 2.6.24

NTSC / PAL selectable

4 channels

1 channel

ADPCM / H.264

D1, HD1, CIF

100FPS global NTSC / 120FPS global PAL

8 levels (1 is best)

Continuous (dual stream) / scheduled / event (sensor trigger, speed, acceleration,
video loss, temperature), pre/post recording

Congurable up to 60 minutes

Congurable up to 30 minutes

Yes

Built-in module (location tracking, speed detection, and time sync)

1 × Class 10 SD Card (128GB max, mirror recording)

1 x RS-232 and 1 x USB 2.0 (on front panel; lockable)

4 inputs, 2 outputs

8 - 36V DC

12V at 500mA

13.5V at 1.2A, 27V at 0.5A

5.59in. x 2.13in. x 5.7 in. (142mm x 54.2mm x 144.8mm)

1.5 lbs. (0.7 kg.)

-13°F~140° F (-25°C~60 ° C )

8% - 90%

CE, FCC, MIL-STD-810F

IR remote control (included); monitor (optional)

GPS information, event, temperature, voltage, device information, rmware version,
MCU version

1/4

1 chan. by local monitor, 1/4 chan. with software

Date/time, channel, event

41

*congurable per channel and event

42

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

Appendix B: Dimensions

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

43

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44

Limited 3-Year New Product Warranty

Safety Vision, LLC (“SV”) makes the following limited warranty, which is eective at
the time of the original end-user purchase.

Note: Optional warranty products are available for all SV products and may be pur­chased at the time of the original end-user purchase or any time during the original
Limited 3-Year New Product Warranty period.

SV warrants this product against defects in materials for a period of 3 years after the
date of purchase. During this period, SV will repair or replace a defective product or
part without charge to the customer. The customer must send the defective product
or part to SV or an authorized SV dealer. The customer must pay for all transporta­tion and insurance charges for sending the unit to be repaired. SV’s total liability is
limited to the original product cost.

User Guide

The customer should thoroughly read this guide before operating this product.

Customer’s Responsibility

The above warranty is subject to the following conditions:

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

• Customer must notify SV within 10 days of discovering the defective product or

part and provide a description of the defect and complete information about
the manner of its discovery.

• All warranty servicing of this product must be performed by SV or an authorized

servicing agent.

• Warranty extends only to defects in materials as limited above. Warranty

does not extend to any product or part that has been lost or discarded by
the customer; to damage to products or parts caused by misuse, accident,
improper installation, improper maintenance, or use in violation of instructions
furnished with the product; to units that have been altered or modied without
authorization of SV; to damage to products or parts thereof that have had
the serial number removed, altered, defaced, or rendered illegible; or to any
failure of the product to function caused by burglary, re, ood, war, riot, civil
commotion, Acts of God, or any other condition beyond the control of SV.

Obtaining Warranty Service

To obtain warranty service, the customer must contact the SV Service and War­ranty Manager at 713.896.6600 or 800.880.8855 to report a defective product. (The
customer must report the model number and serial number if available.) The Service
and Warranty Manager will assist in troubleshooting the problem and, if necessary,
issue a return material authorization (RMA) number. The customer must include this
number on the outside of each package shipped to SV.

Important Packing and Shipping Instructions

When a product requires service, only the aected component must be returned. If
returning the RouteRecorder 4C SD SS unit, please include the SD card that was in
use at the time the issue occured. The customer must use proper packing mate­rial to ensure against damage during shipping. Any shipping damage caused by
improper packing is not covered under this warranty. In addition, the customer must
include a return material authorization (RMA) number on the outside of each pack­age shipped to SV and a letter explaining the defect with the product.

OBSERVER 4000 USER GUIDE

FCC Compliance Statement

NOTE

This device has been tested and found to comply with the
limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the
FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference when the equipment
is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment
generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and,
if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction
manual, may cause harmful interference in which case the
user will be required to correct the interference at his own
expense.

CAUTION

Any changes or modications in construction of this device
which are not expressly approved by the party responsible
for the compliance could void the user’s authority to operate
the equipment.

45

CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS

6100 W. Sam Houston Pkwy. N.
Houston, TX 77041-5113
Main: 713.896.6600
Toll Free: 800.880.8855
Fax: [phone]

www.safetyvision.com

Copyri ght © 2015 Safet y Vision, LLC Al l Rights Re served.