Page Comparison

Introduction

The information published on these pages is intended to supplement the document published elsewhere on this site, focusing suggestions to resolve issues that are sometimes encountered during the setup and configure of cameras.

Time Synchronisation between camera and Witness

Witness will regularly (and frequently) check that the cameras configured in the system are alive by checking their time. Entries in the Camera Controller Time Error log relating to this check failing or intermittent issues with getting the camera to move may be down to the time on the camera being out of sync with the time on the Witness server.

To resolve this, configure the camera and the Witness server to synchronise their time using an NTP service.

Witness also authenticates with the camera every it communicates with the camera and time synchronisation between the camera and the Witness system forms part of the authentication process.

If the camera supports synchronising its date time with an NTP service, then the recommendation is that this is setup; and that the Witness server also synchronises its time with the same NTP service. If no existing NTP service is available, then software could to be installed on the Witness server to provide this.

Onvif is generally enabled by default but good to check

It is a reasonable assumption that Onvif support is not enabled by default enabled on the camera, but best to check before adding the camera . Some camera manufactures using the Onvif Device Manager.

Axis Cameras

Our experience is that Axis Cameras do not have Onvif enabled by default. These cameras also require that an a specific Onvif user is setup and it is this user that will need to be used when setting up the Axis camera in Witness.

VLC Media Player

Witness makes use of the functionality provided by the VLC Media Player to display video from the camera within the Witness UI.