Speco N8NLA Series NVR — Quick Start Guide

Quick Start Guide for the Speco N8NLA series NVR (Network Video Recorder) — covers initial setup, firmware updates, EZ Setup wizard, camera/schedule/motion configuration, playback, and remote web access.

Welcome

This guide is a quick reference for installing the system. Read carefully before installing and operating the unit — refer to the full user manual for more detailed information.

Technical Support: Phone 1-800-645-5516 option 3   Email: techsupport@specotech.com

Important Safeguards: Speco Technologies assumes no liability for fires or electrical shock caused by improper handling or installation, and is not liable for problems caused by unauthorized modifications or attempted repair. All installation and operation must conform to local electrical safety codes.

1. Contents & Setup

1.1 Check Unit and Accessories

After unpacking, check for visible damage and confirm all accessories are included. Verify the model number and serial number on the unit's label match the package label.

1.2 Connections

Connect the following to the recorder, in this order:

1. Connect IP cameras to the PoE ports of the recorder.
2. Connect a monitor to the recorder via VGA or HDMI cable (not included).
3. Connect the included optical mouse to any USB port on the recorder.
4. Connect the recorder to the network (optional).
5. Connect the power cord to the recorder and plug into a 120VAC 50/60Hz outlet.

2. Set Password and Security Questions

On initial bootup, you'll be prompted to set a password and security questions. The default login ID / administrator username is admin. Use the password strength indicator as a reference and re-enter the password to confirm.

Select and answer three security questions — remember your answers, as they're required to reset your password later.

Warning: 5 incorrect login attempts within 30 minutes will lock the account.

3. Update Firmware (If Necessary)

3.1 Check Firmware Version on the Recorder

Go to Main Menu → System Info → System → Version and note the build date.

3.2 Check Latest Firmware Version on the Website

Go to www.specotech.com → Support → Recorder Software Updates, find your recorder model, and compare the website's firmware release date to your recorder's build date.

3.3 Updating Firmware

1. Download the firmware from the website onto a USB disk.
2. Insert the USB disk into an available USB port on the recorder. When the drive is detected, select "System Upgrade" and click on the new firmware file to upload.
3. After the firmware updates, the unit restarts automatically. Remove the USB disk once complete.

4. EZ Setup

After the system boots up, the EZ Setup wizard displays automatically. If not, right-click and select EZ Setup. Check the "Startup" box to have the wizard display every time the device reboots.

4.1 General Settings — Date & Time

Go to Main Menu → Setup → System → General:

• System Time: set the time and date format
• DST: set Daylight Saving Time start/end dates (must be enabled to use this function)
• Time format: 24-hour or 12-hour mode
• NTP: specify an NTP server to synchronize the time

4.2 Camera Setup

The NVR supports plug-and-play for IP cameras through the built-in PoE ports. To scan for IP cameras on the same local network, right-click, then go to Main Menu → Setup → Camera → Site Locate. Click "Device Search" to find cameras on the local network, then double-click a camera to add it to the NVR.

4.3 Schedule Setup

Go to Main Menu → Setup → Storage → Schedule:

• Channel: select a channel number, or "all" for every channel.
• Select the icon for multiple days to link them together for simultaneous editing; a delete icon removes the schedule for a selected recording type/period.
• Recording Type: Continuous, Motion Detection, or Sensor.
• Week day: eight options ranging Saturday–Sunday, plus "all."
• Holiday: special schedules for manually-added holidays (Main Menu → Setup → System → General → Holiday); hidden if no holidays are added.
• Pre-record: pre-record interval for events, 1 to 30 seconds.
• SD Backup: for supported IP camera models, records to an SD card if the network connection fails (0 to 43,200 seconds); the NVR retrieves the SD-card video once the network connection resumes.
• Period setup: manually enter a time period, or visually draw it: select the channel, set the recording type, then click-and-drag to define the period. A maximum of 6 separate periods can be specified per day.

Click Apply when finished to save the settings.

4.4 Motion Recording

1. Go to Main Menu → Setup → Event → Video → Motion.
2. Select a channel from the dropdown and check the Enable box to turn on motion detection.
3. Click "Region Setup" to define the motion detection zone(s) by clicking and dragging — multiple areas can be highlighted.
4. Click "Period Setup" to set the detection schedule (same procedure as general schedule setup, max 6 periods per day).

4.5 Playback

Right-click and select Main Menu → Search to open the playback interface, which offers EZ Search and search by timeframe.

To use EZ Search:

1. Click single view mode.
2. Choose the stream type (M = mainstream, S = substream — mainstream is usually the higher-resolution output) and channel number.
3. Click EZ Search.
4. Thumbnails at timed intervals appear; click the interval you want to view. Click "Exit" (lower right) to leave thumbnail view.

Tip: Check the "Sync" box to sync all cameras to the same time index during playback.

5. Remote Web Access

1. Open Internet Explorer and enter the NVR's IP address in the address bar.
2. Follow the prompts to install the required plug-in.
3. At the login screen, enter your username and password.

Refer to the full user's manual for detailed operation information.

Manufacturer

Speco Technologies — Web: www.specotech.com (check for firmware updates and full documentation)
Technical Support: 1-800-645-5516 option 3   Email: techsupport@specotech.com