security cameras

[blackeagle]

sup guys i recently got a new job i need to watch over security cameras well everything is installed i got a program on the pc in front of me that let me watch the cameras (forgot the name of the program) camera's are connected to a dvr what i want to know is how i could get data that was recorded in a certain date  should i go to play back on the program that let me monitor them on my screen or is there any other way to get them from the dvr ?
excuse me for this noobish question but help is appreciated

[x0nic]

dafuq did I just read?
Could you rephrase the whole fucking post, please? Maybe in some way that ppl are actually able to help you.

forgot the name of the program

Fix this one first. We are prohibited from using our divination magic on muggle problems, sry sir

[khofo]

So basically you are paid to operate cameras that u can't operate.

But u must be truly desperate to come here for help, unfortunately I can't help u much, but there must be an option in the software to view videos taken on  certain date, it's like the basis of any videosurveillance software

[blackeagle]

So basically you are paid to operate cameras that u can't operate.

But u must be truly desperate to come here for help, unfortunately I can't help u much, but there must be an option in the software to view videos taken on  certain date, it's like the basis of any videosurveillance software

yep that's true it's easy to view videos from the video surveillance software all i need is if theres any other way to see the videos from the hdd without using that software sry if all what i said sounded weird but i'm totally new to this domain and need to learn more about it

[khofo]

Well if there is different HDD's it'll be harder to determine on which one is the video, ans just pluggging a sata cable in your hardrive might not work if data is stored in an encrypted partition. I just don't get why u do not simply use the software, your best shot is to plug a sata cable in your HDD i guess

[blackeagle]

mm k khofo ty  just one more question the hardisk that has the data saved on is inside the dvr or i am wrong ?

[dotszilla]

mm k khofo ty  just one more question the hardisk that has the data saved on is inside the dvr or i am wrong ?

yes dvr has a internal hard drive, especially that dvr which most likely came with the cameras as a package.. so it should have a fairly big internal hard drive..

and the only way you can view the videos and make a copy/delete or w.e is through the cameras software which can be installed in the dvr or in your pc it depends.. unless you know how to program and figure out how the system works and make a program or script to pull files from the dvr/harddrive.. hope that helped

[blackeagle]

yes actually it helped but you said that the software could be installed on the dvr in this case how could i get the old videos from it ?

[dotszilla]

yes actually it helped but you said that the software could be installed on the dvr in this case how could i get the old videos from it ?

usually if the soft is installed on the dvr, theres a way to plug in a mouse and a monitor to it, which is what you do and there also should be either a memory card port or a usb port that you can use to copy the files to, and then transfers them to your pc..

P.S if you know the model of the cameras, look up the manual for them, if you dont have the paper one already somewhere...

[nozzlechunks]

This isn't even Google material, this is seriously RTFM. It's also not a security / hacking question. It's an IT question. I'm new here, and even I'm getting slightly irritated with this stuff.

For everyone EXCEPT the OP:  virtually every modern (i.e. not VHS) camera system has a means of exporting video to disc/dvr, in order to hand it over to law enforcement (that's typically the point of cameras, even though some orgs think throwing a fat and disgusting rentacop in front of a bunch of monitors equates to security). The one's I've played with usually also write a proprietary executable to the disc, which you must install locally to view the content, so you can't just pop open the video in a flash player or Windows Media.

[iTpHo3NiX]

Ok why not start by explaining what a DVR is

A DVR is a Digital Video Recorder

These are devices that is pretty much a computer. However these will have various inputs/outputs. Most notably they will have several BNC ports which is a type of coaxle cable that the majority of camera systems use. Depending on the DVR, they come in a variety of channels. Most commonly 16 or 32 channels. Now there are some that are 4 or 8 channels which are mainly used for home or small business use. Then 16 channels are pretty much entry level for a smaller business.

Most DVRs (notice I say DVRs) because depending on the place and setup, typically have a local NAT that connects several DVRs to a hub and a viewing computer is on the hub as well. The Content Management System (abbreviated CMS) is usually where you can view, record, playback, backup footage. These pull the data stored on a DVR and puts it on the viewing computers hard drive. Typically most systems are set to record on alert/motion/schedule to conserve hard drive space. Further, most DVRs on average store video for 2 weeks unless backed up and stored elsewhere. Otherwise they usually have a live view mode for current live monitoring.

Understanding how these systems work play a big role in identifying how you would back up footage. In most cases EVERY CMS system will typically have "LIVE" "PLAYBACK" "BACKUP" "SETTINGS" tabs or links for various functuons. Your first step would be to identify what camera(s) you want to back up. Say you want to look up Camera 4 (channel) on DVR 2 (inferring at least 2 dvrs, possibly 16 channels for a total of 32 cameras) however you don't know what exact time an event occured. You would go to the Playback tab, select dvr2chan4 select the date in question. You would then start watching the video per motion events until you find what you're looking for. Make note of the date and time, then go to the backup tab, select the appropriate date and start time then end time.

That is fairly typical for most DVR setups and whoever mentioned something about VHS tapes, why? DVR is DIGITAL not ANALOG

Anyways hope that info helps someone trying to understand camera systems