Canon network camera VBS900F User Manual

							How to Operate the Viewer
131
Admin Viewer/VB Viewer
6
 When the viewer is launched, the display screen size opens at 
[Actual Pixels].
„Displaying in Full Screen Mode
You can show video over the entire display. Clicking this 
button will switch the viewer to full screen mode. 
To close the full screen window, select [Exit Full Screen 
Mode] in the following menu. 
You can display the necessary panels for controlling the 
camera in the full screen mode. Right-click on the screen 
and select the necessary panel from the menu that 
appears.
[Start/Stop Control] Obtain and release the camera 
control privileges.
[Preset] Select a preset.
[Home Position] Move the camera angle to the 
home position.
[Panorama]
Displays the panorama display 
panel. 
[Start/Exit Viewer PTZ]
The viewer PTZ panel is 
displayed. 
(Admin Viewer only)
[Start/Exit Digital PTZ]
The Digital PTZ panel is 
displayed.
[Control] Displays the camera control 
panel. 
[Pan/Tilt Slider] Displays the pan/tilt slider.
[Control for Admin] Displays the Control for Admin 
Panel (Admin Viewer only).
[Video Capture Size] Switch video capture size.
[Snapshot] Get a snapshot.
[Audio Reception] Displays the Receive Audio 
panel.
[Event Display] Displays the event display panel 
(Admin Viewer only). 
[Start/Stop Memory Card Recording]
Start and stop video recording to 
a memory card (Admin Viewer 
only).
[Exit Full Screen Mode] Exit full screen mode.You can move any panel by clicking the title bar and 
dragging it to the desired position. 
„Getting a Snapshot
Captures a still image from live video and displays it in a 
new window.
You can also save still images. 
Click [Get a Snapshot] button at the moment you want to 
capture a still image. 
A snapshot panel will open showing a still image from the 
moment you clicked it. When the snapshot panel is open, 
click the [Get a Snapshot] button to update the image 
displayed in the snapshot panel.
To save a still image, right-click on it and select the save 
option from the menu that appears. 
Enter the file name desired and save the image.
„Reconnect
To reconnect the camera, click this button. 
Note
If you reconnect, audio reception will stop and camera control 
privileges will be lost. 
„Receiving Audio
You can receive audio through the microphone attached 
to the camera. 
Click this button to receive audio. 
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Select the [Receive audio] checkbox in the Receive Audio 
panel that appears and use the slider to set an 
appropriate volume.
Note
 To receive audio, set [Server] > [Audio Server] > [Audio 
Transmission from the Camera] to [Enable] in the setting pages 
beforehand (p. 54). 
 The first time the Receive Audio panel is launched from the VB 
Viewer, a message to install the “Canon Network Camera Audio 
Receiver” add-on will be displayed in the information bar of the web 
browser. Install the add-on.
 Regardless whether or not the Receive Audio panel is open, audio 
will always be received if the [Receive audio] checkbox is selected 
in the Receive Audio panel.
Checking Information
The following icons will appear depending on the content 
of the information displayed.
Note
For details on the messages, see “List of Viewer Messages” 
(p. 157). 
IconMeaning
Receiving audio
Not receiving audio
Icon (color)MeaningDescription
(Blue) InformationAppears when a camera 
operation has been successful. 
The following information 
appears.
 Help messages, such for each 
button and pull down menu
 Frame rate information
 Pan, tilt, zoom 
camera information
 Pan, tilt, and 
zoom information for Digital 
PTZ
(Yellow) WarningA message will appear notifying 
the user when camera control 
privileges cannot be obtained, 
audio reception stops, etc.
(Orange) ErrorAppears when a system error 
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Admin Viewer/VB Viewer
The operations and settings that can be performed only in the Admin Viewer are explained. 
Magnifying Part of the Video (Viewer PTZ)
You can use the Viewer PTZ panel to magnify part of the 
camera’s video in the video display area. 
„Viewer PTZ
Viewer PTZ uses the digital zoom function to enlarge part 
of a video without using the camera pan, tilt or zoom 
functions.
This function allows you to enlarge part of a video when 
using the camera in a locked position, for example, during 
use of an intelligent function.
Note
 Video cropped with Viewer PTZ will not be videos recorded 
manually, or by event or timer.
 The cropped position in the video display area will be reflected 
in full screen mode as well.
„Opening the Viewer PTZ Panel
Click the [Viewer PTZ] button to display the viewer PTZ 
panel.The initial status of the Viewer PTZ panel shows the 
preview frame (yellow) occupying the entire video.
„Adjusting the Preview Frame Size
Drag the preview frame line to make the frame smaller, 
and a magnified view of the video in the frame will be 
shown in the video display area.
The preview frame turns blue when you drag it. 
Note
The Viewer PTZ uses digital zoom, so the higher the digital zoom 
ratio, the lower the quality of the video becomes.
„Moving the Preview Frame
You can move the preview frame to the desired position.
Move by dragging
Click within the preview frame and drag it over the subject 
that you want to see magnified.
The preview frame turns blue when you drag it. 
Move by clicking
Click a position outside of the preview frame and the 
preview frame will move to that position. Click the subject 
that you want to see magnified.
Move using sliders   
You can pan, tilt and zoom the displayed video using 
sliders.
Performing Operations and Settings in the Admin Viewer
Important
When the Viewer PTZ function is used, you cannot operate the 
camera by clicking the video display area.
Preview Frame
(Magnified display area)
Center of preview 
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Note
After changing the preview frame, the video display area will 
continue to display the cropped video corresponding to the 
preview frame even after the Viewer PTZ panel is closed. 
However, when you reconnect to Admin Viewer, the initial status 
will be restored.
„Exiting Viewer PTZ
Click the [Viewer PTZ] button again. The Viewer PTZ 
panel closes and Viewer PTZ is exited. 
„Differences Between Viewer PTZ and Digital 
PTZ
Viewer PTZ and Digital PTZ are both simple pan, tilt, and 
zoom functions that use the digital zoom function, but they 
have the following differences because they employ 
different operating principles.
Using Control for Admin
When you have obtained control privileges, click the 
[Control for Admin] button to display the Control for Admin 
Panel and perform camera operation and video settings.
„Opening/Closing and Moving Control Items
Clicking the title of a control item will open or close it.
You can open the various control items even without 
obtaining the camera control privileges, but all items other 
than [Video Reception] are not available.
You can also reorder control items using the up/down 
buttons.
„Performing Operations and Settings
Click the camera control buttons to set the pan, tilt and 
zoom operations as well as the speed. 
(1) [Pan/Tilt] button
Move pan and tilt in the direction of the arrows. 
Operation will continue as long as you are holding 
down the button and will stop when you release it. 
Clicking the center button will make the camera face 
straight forwards. 
(2) [Zoom] buttons
Zooms in or out. Operation will continue as long as 
you are holding down the button and will stop when 
you release it. 
(3) [Pan/Tilt] Speed
Select a speed from [Fast], [Normal] and [Slow]. 
(4) [Zoom] Speed
Set the speed to [Fast] or [Slow]. 
Viewer PTZDigital PTZ 
Enlarges the specified part of 
the video transmitted from the 
camera and then displays it in 
the viewer.Transmits only the trimmed 
part of the entire area that can 
be captured by the camera.
The size of the received data 
is large.The size of the received data 
is small.
Can be used only in Admin 
Viewer.Can be used in both Admin 
Viewer and VB Viewer.
PTZ operation can be 
performed independently for 
each viewer.Independent operation cannot 
be performed for each viewer 
(if multiple viewers are 
connected, the same display 
is applied in the other 
viewers).
⇔
⇔
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(2)(3)
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Note
Changing the [Pan/Tilt] speed or [Zoom] speed will not change 
the speed of the slider, or of the pan, tilt or zoom in panorama. 
„Setting the Smart Shade Control
The smart shade control function differs from backlight 
compensation in that only dark areas are brightened while 
bright areas are kept intact. 
(1) [Smart Shade Control]
Select [Auto], [Manual], or [Disable].
(2) Adjusting the Smart Shade Control
When smart shade control is [Manual], set one of the 7 
levels from [1] (Mild) to [7] (Strong).
Example: If the background is bright and the subject 
is hard to see, this function brightens dark areas to 
make the subject clearer. 
In comparison to backlight compensation, smart 
shade control can reduce overexposure of bright 
areas. 
Note
 When [Auto] or [Manual] is selected for smart shade control, 
the video data size increases. 
 When [Manual] is selected for smart shade control, setting a 
high compensation strength may increase screen noise. If 
noise is noticeable, lower the control level.
„Setting the Focus
[Auto]  : Automatically focuses on the 
subject.
[Manual] : You can adjust the focus manually 
by pushing the  (far) and 
(near) buttons. 
Clicking [One-shot AF] will use 
autofocus to focus on a subject and 
then stop in manual focus.
[Fixed at Infinity] : You can set the focus so that it is 
fixed near infinity. 
„Setting the Exposure
Important
 [Auto] cannot be selected for [Smart Shade Control] if 
[Exposure] is set to [Manual].
 The [BLC] button is not available if [Smart Shade Control] is 
set to [Auto]. 
(1)
(2)
OFFSmart Shade 
ControlBLC (Back Light 
Compensation)
Important
 If it is set in the Admin Viewer, the same focus mode will 
occur in the viewers of other users also. 
 Setting the shutter speed at [1/1 sec] in manual exposure 
(p. 135) will disable the [Auto] and [One-shot AF] focus 
modes in Control for Admin. Switch the focus to [Manual] and 
adjust it to your subject. 
 Refer to the notes on p. 43 for focus ranges.
 Changes to focus mode in the Admin Viewer will not be 
reflected in the settings on the setting page. 
 Note that if you set the focus manually it will remain fixed.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6) 
						

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(1) Exposure Mode
Select from [Auto], [Manual], [Auto (Flickerless)] or 
[Auto (Shutter-priority AE)]. 
If [Auto] is selected for [Day/Night] under [Camera] in 
the Setting page (p. 43), select [Auto ], [Auto 
(Flickerless)] or [Auto (Shutter-priority AE)]. 
[Auto]
The exposure is controlled automatically.
[Manual]
The exposure is set by adjusting the shutter speed 
and gain values manually.
[Auto (Flickerless)]
In this mode, video flickering caused by fluorescent 
lights, etc., can be reduced. The shutter speed is 
automatically adjusted according to the brightness 
of the environment in which the camera is used.
[Auto (Shutter-priority AE)]
In this mode, the desired shutter speed can be 
specified.
(2) [Exposure Compensation]
When [Auto], [Auto (Flickerless)] or [Auto (Shutter-
priority AE)] is selected for [Exposure], the exposure 
compensation value desired can be selected from 
nine levels (-4 to +4) using the slider. 
To darken the video, select a negative value. To 
brighten the video, select a positive value. 
(3) [Metering Mode]
When [Auto], [Auto (Flickerless)] or [Auto (Shutter-
priority AE)] is selected for [Exposure], the metering 
mode can be selected from [Center-Weighted], 
[Average] or [Spot]. 
For an explanation on each item set in [Metering 
Mode], see [Metering Mode] in the Setting page 
(p. 42).
(4) [Shutter Speed] 
When [Manual] or [Auto (Shutter-priority AE)] is 
selected for [Exposure], select the shutter speed 
desired. If [Manual] is selected, set the shutter speed 
in the range of [1/1 sec] to [1/16000 sec] from a pull-
down menu. If [Auto (Shutter-priority AE)] is selected, 
set the shutter speed in the range of [1/2 sec] to [1/
16000 sec] from a pull-down menu.
When capturing a moving subject, selecting a higher 
shutter speed can reduce blurry video capture.
(5) [Slow Shutter]
You can set slow shutter if [Exposure] is set to [Auto] 
or [Auto (Flickerless)]. Select a value in the range of 
[1/2 sec] to [1/30 sec] from the pull-down menu.
As slower shutter speeds generate afterimages when 
capturing a moving subject, select an appropriate 
time according to the capture conditions. (6) [Gain] 
If [Manual] is selected for [Exposure], set a desired 
gain value. 
Moving the slider to the left decreases the gain 
(sensitivity to brightness) and darkens the video. 
Moving the slider to the right increases the gain and 
brightens the video.
„Setting White Balance
(1) [Auto] 
The white balance is adjusted automatically. 
(2) [Light Source] 
Select the light source from the pull-down menu below 
according to the condition in which the camera is 
used. 
For an explanation on each item set in [Light Source], 
see [White Balance] in the Setting page (p. 43).
(3) [Manual] 
The white balance is adjusted manually.
[One-shot WB]
This is used for forcibly locking the white balance to 
match the light source.
Important
 If the subject is a traffic signal or electronic scoreboard, etc., 
the captured 
video may flicker. 
In this case, try changing [Exposure] to [Auto (Shutter-priority 
AE)] and then select a shutter speed lower than 1/100, to see 
if the situation improves. 
 [Exposure Compensation] and [Manual] for [Exposure] 
cannot be selected if [Smart Shade Control] is set to [Auto].
 The [BLC] button is not available if [Exposure] is set to 
[Manual]. 
 Even if  [Exposure] is set to [Auto (Flickerless)], some screen 
flicker may still occur under unstable light source conditions. 
 When [Camera] > [Camera Control] > [AGC Limit] is set to 
[OFF] and [Exposure] is set to [Auto (Shutter-priority AE)], 
exposure compensation and backlight compensation will not 
be performed.
(1)
(2)
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Example of setting method:
Illuminate a white subject (white paper, etc.) using 
the light source, making sure the subject fills the 
entire screen, and then execute [One-shot WB].
[R Gain], [B Gain]
When setting the white balance manually, set the 
values of red and blue gain in the range 0 to 1023 to 
match the light source.
„Setting the Day/Night Mode
(1) [Auto]
The camera automatically switches to day mode or 
night mode depending on ambient brightness.(2) [Day Mode] 
Color video can be viewed in the normal mode. 
(3) [Night Mode] 
Video is shown in black and white.
Note
Though the camera has an infrared filter, there is no effect on 
lighting due to infrared light as the camera does not have an 
insertion/removal mechanism for the filter.
„Selecting the External Device Output
You can control external device output and display the 
current output status using an icon. Output can be 
activated and deactivated by clicking this icon.
„Registering Custom Settings
By registering settings for camera position, exposure, 
white balance, etc. beforehand, you can load settings 
using manual or automatic control.
Note
 In custom settings, the setting values for the following items in 
the Control for Admin menu can be saved.
[Smart Shade Control], [Exposure], [White Balance], [Image 
Quality Adjustment], [Day/Night]
 
[Pan/Tilt/Zoom]
[Focus]
Important
 Since the light source selection options are based on 
representative characteristics, proper colors may not be 
achieved depending on the applicable light source. In this 
case, use the [One-shot WB] function.
 If the subject looks greenish under mercury lamps in the 
[Auto] mode, select the [Mercury Lamp] mode under light 
source. If the video is still not shown in appropriate colors 
under mercury lamps when the [Mercury Lamp] mode is 
selected under light source, use [One-shot WB].
 When the subject has only one color, illumination is low, or 
when sodium lamps, mercury lamps and certain other 
fluorescent lighting are used, colors may not be adjusted 
appropriately.
 When [Day/Night] is set to [Night Mode] (including when it is 
set to [Auto] and night mode is judged to be applicable), the 
white balance function cannot be used.
 Notes on capturing video continuously day and night
If a subject that seldom changes is captured in a location 
where the light source changes gradually, such as when 
capturing a subject continuously day and night, appropriate 
colors may not be achieved. 
In the above case, applying changes to the video to capture 
will achieve the appropriate colors.
(2)
(3)
(1)
Important
If the viewer is exited in [Day Mode] or [Night Mode], auto day/
night stays disabled even if [Auto] is set in the setting page. To 
set auto day/night to enable, be sure to exit the viewer after 
setting [Auto].
IconMeaning
Output inactive state
Output active state 
						

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 Click [Register] after completing the above settings to register 
the custom settings. 
(1) Custom setting button
Select the numbered button with the registered 
custom settings to load the settings.
(2) [Register Custom Settings]
The [Register Custom Settings] panel is displayed.
(3) [Register to]
Select the number for the custom setting you want to 
register from the selection box.
(4) [Include Current PTZ Position] checkbox 
Select the checkbox to register the current pan, tilt, 
and zoom settings.
(5) [Register]
Register the current camera settings in the custom 
setting number selected in [Register to].
(6) [Auto Control Settings]
Displays the [Auto Control Settings] panel.
(7) [Verify registered contents of custom settings]
Displays the settings registered for the custom setting 
number selected in [Register to].Setting automatic control
Click the [Auto Control Settings] button to display the 
[Auto Control Settings] panel, and set the [Day/Night 
Mode Switching] and [Timer].
(1) [Auto Control]
Select [Not used], [Day/Night Mode Switching], or 
[Timer] for the auto control setting.
(2) [In Day Mode], [In Night Mode]
When [Day/Night Mode Switching] is selected in [Auto 
Control], select the custom setting number used when 
switching day mode and night mode or select [None] 
for each item. 
(3) [Timer 1] to [Timer 4]
When [Timer] is selected in [Auto Control], set the 
time for switching the custom setting in [Time] in 24-
hour format and select the custom setting number in 
[Custom Setting], or select [None].
(4) [Register]
Register the auto control settings.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
Important
If the same time is specified multiple times for [Timer 1] to 
[Timer 4], [Register] will be disabled and the settings will not be 
possible.
(3)
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„Adjusting Image Quality
(1) [Noise Reduction]
Select [Mild], [Standard], or [Strong] for the noise 
reduction setting. 
Principally, this setting is more effective in low-light 
conditions. When set to [Strong], the noise reduction 
effect is increased, but the afterimage of moving 
subjects becomes easier to see. When set to [Mild], 
the noise reduction effect is decreased and resolution 
is increased, but the video file size becomes larger. 
(2) [Sharpness]
Select a level from [1] (Mild) to [7] (Strong) for the 
sharpness setting.
When set to [Strong] the video becomes sharper, and 
when set to [Mild] the video becomes softer. Also, 
when set to [Strong] the video file size becomes 
larger. 
(3) [Color Saturation]
Select a level from [1] (Light) to [7] (Dark) for the color 
saturation setting.
„Enabling Video Reception
(1) [Max. Frame Rate (JPEG)]
You can select the maximum frame rate for JPEG 
displayed video from one of twelve levels between [30 
fps] to [0.2 fps]. The setting is not available when 
displaying H.264 video in the video display area.
(2) [Enable H.264 reception] checkbox
Select to receive H.264 video. The Software Product 
License Agreement dialog box appears. Click [Yes] to 
accept the terms of the license agreement. The 
decoder is downloaded from the camera, enabling 
H.264 video reception. 
Displaying Event Status
Clicking the [Event Display] button will show the event 
display panel, which shows the input status of external 
devices, as well as the status of video and volume 
detection by the intelligent function. 
(1) [External Device Input]
When a contact input signal is received from an 
external device, input will be activated and an icon will 
be displayed. 
(2) [Intelligent Function (Image Detection)] 
The status of intelligent function (image detection) will 
be displayed. When the detection settings 
configured in intelligent functions (Moving Object 
Detection, Abandoned Object Detection, Removed 
Object Detection, Camera Tampering Detection or 
Passing Detection) enter Detected mode, the 
corresponding icon will turn green (p. 103). 
If names are entered in [Detection Setting Name] in 
Intelligent Function Setting Tools (p. 103), [Setting 1] 
to [Setting 15] will be displayed with the 
corresponding name.
Example:
Setting 1: Image Detection status ON
Other settings: Image Detection status OFF
Note
The icon signifying Detection mode will be displayed for a 
maximum of five minutes (except for Moving Object Detection).
(1)
(2)
(3)
(1)
(2)
IconMeaning
Input inactive state
Input active state
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(3) [Intelligent Function (Volume detection)]
The volume detection status is displayed. When 
sound that meets the criteria selected under [Event] > 
[Volume Detection] in the Setting Page is detected, 
the icon turns green (p. 56). 
Example:
Volume Detection status ON
Recording to a Memory Card Manually
Video displayed in the Admin Viewer can be manually 
recorded to a memory card.
Note
 To record on a memory card, a memory card must be inserted 
in the camera (p. 125) and [Save Logs and Videos] must be 
selected in the setting page > [Memory Card] > [Operation 
Settings].
 The format and size of the video recorded on a memory card 
depends on the settings made on the Setting page. 
Video format:  [Memory Card] > [Video Format]
Video size:  JPEG  [Video] > [JPEG] > [Video Size: Upload / 
Memory card]
H.264  [Video] > [H.264(1)] > [Video Size]
„Recording Videos Manually
The [Start/Stop Memory Card Recording] button 
appearance changes as shown below depending on 
recording status.
„Confirming Manually Recorded Video
Use the Recorded Video Utility (p. 112) to confirm video 
manually recorded to a memory card.
Click the [Recorded Video Utility] button to start the 
Recorded Video Utility from the Admin Viewer.
1If you have not yet obtained the camera control 
privileges, click the [Obtain/Release Camera Control] 
button and obtain the control privileges.
2Click the [Start/Stop Memory Card Recording] button.
Not recording
Recording
3To stop video recording, click the [Start/Stop Memory 
Card Recording] button again.
Important
Recording to the memory card will be terminated when the 
length of manually recorded videos exceeds 300 seconds from 
the time recording started.