How to use the Alarm.com Streaming Video Recorder (SVR)

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The Streaming Video Recorder (SVR) provides 24/7 Local Video Storage and allows for automatic remote access, mobile app compatibility and cloud management.

The SVR is optimized to be bandwidth efficient by only using internet bandwidth for critical video playback and secure cloud recording. You can also remotely connect to the SVR for local and remote playback of continuous video recordings.

Installation is relatively simple being similar to Alarm.com video camera set-up. To install and use the SVR, your account must have both a Video service plan and the Video 24x7 package add-on.

Through Surety, access to Video and Video 24/7 Continuous recording can be found in a variety of ways:

Streaming Video Recorder

SVR-122

SVR
SVR497×846 62.1 KB

  • 500 GB, 1 TB, or 2 TB Hard Drive
  • 24/7 video recording
  • Supports up to 8 IP cameras
  • Continuous local recording
  • Sync’d multi-camera playback
  • Multiple SVR addition availability
  • Local HDMI port for live and recorded playback

Frequently Asked Questions

How do Alarm.com cameras communicate with the SVR?

Cameras communicate with the SVR using the local area network (LAN). This traffic is maintained by the router.

When an SVR recording schedule is saved on the Alarm.com website, it tells the camera to send a constant stream of video for the SVR to record.

How many SVRs can be enrolled on one account?

Up to 10 Stream Video Recorders (SVRs) can be added to a single account. SVRs do not count against the camera limit allotted by your service plan but a separate Extra SVR Support add on is required for each SVR in use.

Can an SVR function without an internet connection?

All SVRs require an internet connection to stream video remotely using the Alarm.com Website or app, but they do maintain some local functionality if the internet connection is lost.

SVRs with local interfaces can play back video to a monitor temporarily if the internet connection is lost.

  • SVR-122 has HDMI port for connection to TV or Computer Monitor along with USB port to connect a mouse for control.
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How to connect an SVR to your Alarm.com account

  1. Using an Ethernet cable, connect the device to the network’s router.
  2. Connect the device’s AC power adapter and plug it into a non-switched outlet.
  3. Allow a few minutes for the SVR and router to connect. When the status LED in the front of the SVR is solid green, the connection is complete.
  4. Add the device to the account by using the Alarm.com Video Installation Wizard, or by using a web browser and entering the following web address: www.alarm.com/addcamera
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to add and set up the SVR.

How to associate a video device to the SVR

You will need to associate a video device with a Stream Video Recorder (SVR) so that the SVR can start recording footage. Video devices can be associated at any time using the Alarm.com website.

  • A video device can only record video to a single SVR at a time. The video device’s existing SVR recording schedule must be deleted before the video device can be associated with a different SVR.

Note : The following steps are performed after an SVR is attached to the customer’s account.

  1. Log into the Alarm.com Website.
  2. Click Video .
  3. Click Recording Rules .
  4. Click Local Recordings .
  5. Click + Add New Schedule .
  6. In Record from this camera, click to select the video device to record to the SVR.
  7. Using the At the following frame rate dropdown menu, select the desired frame rate.
  8. Using the At this resolution dropdown menu, select the desired resolution.
  9. Using the At this quality dropdown menu, select the desired quality.
  10. In During this time frame, click to select the time frame that the recording schedule is active.
  • Click to select At All Times to record to the SVR at all times of the day.
  • Click to select Only During the Following Times to define specific hours and days of the week the video device records to the SVR.
  1. Click Save Schedule .

Repeat the above process for each camera you intend to connect to the SVR.

Getting Started with Alarm.com Video
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Use the Stream Video Recorder timeline to stream playback

Alarm.com Stream Video Recorders have a remote interface on the Alarm.com Website or app. You can stream playback from specific times, adjust playback speed, see important sensor activity, and save/download clips.

To stream video playback using the Alarm.com Website:

  1. Log into the Alarm.com Website.

  2. Click Video .

  3. Click Settings .

  4. Click SVR Timeline .

  5. Using the dropdown menu, select up to four cameras. The maximum number of devices that can be selected at once varies based on the equipment and the network being used.

    SVR Timeline1

  6. Click Play

To stream video playback using the Mobile App:
  1. Log into the Customer app.
  2. Tap the Menu Icon.
  3. Tap Video
  4. Tap SVR .
  5. Using the dropdown menu, select a camera.

Note : The Customer app for the iPad shows all available video devices on a grid and does not have a dropdown menu.

  1. Tap Play Icon

Timeline bar features

You can play back specific recording times and dates using the timeline bar on the Website or app.

Customer website playback timeline

The timeline bar on the Website displays system/sensor activity events as gray bars and recorded clips as dots color-coded to the selected cameras.

SVR Timeline2
SVR Timeline2930×68 1.53 KB

  • Use the large green bar to select where to begin the video. Drag the green bar to the desired time or click anywhere on the timeline to jump to that point.
  • Click on the forward/backward arrows to scroll through the timeline.
  • Mouse over the color-coded dots to see thumbnail images of recorded clips previously uploaded to the account.
  • Mouse over the activity markers (i.e., the gray bar) to see system events and sensor activity.

Adjust which activity markers appear on the timeline

  • Using the Markers dropdown menu, select the sensor activity and system events to show on the timeline.

    SVR timeline3

Playback controls on the Alarm.com Website

Playback speed

Playback_Speed

  • Using the dropdown menu, select the desired playback speed from the available options.
  • Click + or - to increase or decrease the playback speed incrementally.

Playback resolution

Playback_Resolution

  • Using the dropdown menu, select Small , Medium , Large , X-Large . X-Large is only available when one camera is selected.
  • Click + or - to increase or decrease the window size incrementally.

Timeline scale

Timeline_Scale

  • Using the dropdown menu, select Hour , Day , Week .
  • Click on + or - to increase or decrease the timeline scale incrementally.

Currently selected time

Currently_selected_time

  • Enter the date manually in the Currently selected time field.
  • Click the Calendar Icon to pick a date from the calendar.

Mobile app playback timeline

The timeline bar allows users to watch recorded video from a selected time period.

mobile1

Use the gray bar to select where to begin video:

  • Drag the bar to the desired time.
  • Tap anywhere on the timeline to jump to that point.
  • Tap the forward/backward arrows to find more playback.

Playback controls on the Customer app

mobile2 Playback speed

Using the dropdown menu, select the desired playback speed from the available options.

iPad Customer app : Tap the + and - buttons to adjust the playback speed.

Note : The upload speed required for streaming playback is multiplied by the playback speed.


mobile3 Timeline scale

Using the dropdown menu, select Hour , Day , Week .

iPad Customer app : Tap the + and - buttons to adjust the timeline scale


mobile4 Currently selected time
Tap Calendar Icon to pick a date from the calendar.