httpwww.digi-watcher.comhelpfaq.

htm
General
1. What does Digi-Watcher provide?
We provide software solutions for home security, video broadcasting, and remote
video surveillance.Watcher is an intelligent digital watchdog. It monitors your h
ome or office 24 hours a day, captures motion event using webcams, saves into co
mpressed video/audio clips and triggers alarm, it can also broadcast video to we
b pages. RemoteView can connect to Watcher via a telephone line (modem) or inter
net (TCP/IP), that enables you to do remote surveillance anywhere in the world b
y real time video streaming. You can use Watcher for multi-cam purpose. Scheduli
ng and running as NT service is also supported.
2. Where do I get the software and how to install it?
You can download both Watcher and RemoteView from the following page:
http://www.digi-watcher.com/download.htm
The installation process of the programs is easy and fast by following the guide
d steps. In addition, we have an un-installation utility if you wish to remove t
he programs from your computer.
3.How do I register the software?
You can purchase Watcher software using online credit card transaction or other
ordering methods mentioned in our buy page:http://www.digi-watcher.com/buy.htm
With the purchase of Watcher software, you are entitled to the following benefit
s:
- A registration code will be emailed to you immediately.
- Your code will remove the registration reminder window, and let you enjoy full
video surveillance and broadcasting functionality with unlimited usage.
- Free technical support.
- Free upgrade for all newer versions in the future.
Why is Watcher not accepting my registration name and code? -- Likely you made a
typo, Note that when you copy your registration name and registration code into
Watcher's registration dialog, you should pay attention to the followings:
- The Reg Name has to be COMPLETE, meaning it has to include your name, brackets
, email address.
- The Reg Code has to be COMPLETE, meaning it includes Digi-Watcher.com/
- Make sure there is no mistyping, it is always better to use copy and paste.
- Please make sure there is no trailing space after the line.
- If you are using Windows 7, please make sure Watcher is run as administrator (
usually is, but if not, do a right click on Watcher.exe and click run-as-adminis
trator, this is because Watcher needs to insert the registration info into the w
indows registry)
- Email us (support@digi-watcher.com) if you still have problems after trying th
e above, we will email you the screenshot to show you how to register.
4.Why Watcher version 2.34 removed stealth mode? How can I get stealth mode back?
Norton identifies Watcher 2.33 (with stealth mode) as spyware, since it has stea
lth mode and can then be used together with webcam to secretely monitor others.
After discussion with Norton, we removed the stealth mode in version 2.34, and N
orton no longer identifies Watcher 2.34 as spyware.
If you want to get version 2.33 with stealth mode, pleasedownload it here. Note v
ersion 2.33 is almost the same as 2.34 except the stealth mode.
Please note that some other anti-spyware utility may still identify Watcher as s
pyware, because as Watcher can be used for video logging, or email alert upon mo
tion detection, it falls into the definition of spyware, for example, many of ou
r customers are using it to spy on employees/children/girlfriend/boyfriend/nanny
and so on. If your anti-spyware utility happens to treat Watcher as spyware and
stops it from working properly, you should configure your anti-spyware utility
to whitelist or ignore Watcher.
5. What should I do if I encounter problems?
Though our software is simple to use, we still recommend you to read through our
on-line help.
Please refer totroubleshootingpage to find possible solutions. If you could not so
lve your problem, feel free toe-mail usand we will do our best to help you.
6. I'm using an old version, how do I upgrade to the latest version?
You can simply download and install the latest version. By default the new versi
on is installed into a directory that is different from the old installation dir
ectory. If you want to use the previous version's settings, please copy the foll
owing files/directory from the old installation directory into the latest instal
lation directory:
log.ini; videolog.ini; LogList.html; log directory
These files contain the settings information and past video logs. After that, yo
u can safely remove the previous installation.
7. My credit card is declined, or I don't want to use credit card, what to do?
We use three secure traction service providers to process credit card online, yo
u can choose either of them. If one of them rejects your credit card, you can tr
y another one. Please find the three service providershere.
If you don't want to use credit card online, you can use cheques, wire transfer,
etc. by simply selecting different payment options. Please go to ourpurchase pag
e, and make your selections, the steps should be intuitive.

Watcher
1. Will my video capture card or webcam work with Watcher?Can you recommend one?
If your video capture card or digital camera is either MicrosoftWindows Driver Mo
delorVideo for Windowscompatible, then Watcher will work.(Most of the video devices
in the market are WDM or VfW compatible).You can download our software for a fre
e trail at:http://www.digi-watcher.com/download.htm
For detailed requirement and a list of known compatible models, please refer to:h
ttp://www.digi-watcher.com/webcam_sys_requirements.htm
2. Can I use your software to remotely view my camera?
Yes. There are two ways to do that. The first is to put Watcher in broadcasting
mode, and use Internet Explorer from anywhere in the world to view what's happen
ing at Watcher side. The second way is to put Watcher in listening mode, and use
the free RemoteView tool to stream video/audio from Watcher in real time, using
either TCP/IP connecton or modem-to-modem connection.
For help on broadcasting, please refer to:settings_broadcast.htm
For help on RemoteView, please refer to:remoteview.htm
The best thing is that broadcasting or listening can operate simultaneously with
monitoring. So while you can view video remotely, Watcher is doing the monitori
ng job at the same time, performing motion detection, logging video, and trigger
various alerts (like email, FTP), etc.
3. What does Sensitivity Level and Masking mean?
This sensitivity level setting determines what level of movement is required to
trigger a motion-sensitive image capture."Very insensitive" means that trivial mo
tion will not be captured, only the dramatic motion will be captured. This may r
esult in loss of event. "Very sensitive" means that even small motion will be ca
ptured and if set too high, may produce false events. The user is suggested to t
est and fine tune this setting to a suitable level according to different enviro
nments and needs.If you encounter false motion detection, clickherefor troubleshooti
ng.
It is often desirable to ignore certain portion of the camera view so that motio
ns happening in that region will not trigger any alert. The masking function in
Watcher lets you easily cover up the unwanted area. The function can be found in
Watcher'smonitoring sensitivity settings.
4.What does Broadcasting mean and how do I make use of Watcher to do broadcasting
?
Web cam broadcasting lets everyone on the internet view your web cam image captu
res continuously in a simple way. Once turned on, Watcher will continuously save
the image captured from the camera into a jpeg file, say every 3 seconds, and f
tp or copy the file to some remote server or local hard disk. Assume we upload t
he file to a remote FTP server, which also happens to be a web server. The web s
erver could host a page which point to the jpeg files uploaded from Watcher and
does refreshing every 3 seconds. In effect, anyone could go to that page using t
heir internet browser and view almost live image from your camera.
To set up Watcher for Remote broadcasting, please refer to the settings manual o
nhow to set up the remote broadcasting options. The broadcasting "Start" button c
an be located in the capture window of Watcher.
Local broadcasting works in a similar way. The difference is that your computer
acts as a web server and accepts page viewing request from outside. Please refer
the the settings manual onhow to set up Watcher for Local Web Server broadcastin
g.
5. My PC has multiple cameras, how can I choose one from them?
By default, when Watcher launches for the first time, it will choose the first c
amera on the list. You can change to a different camera later on by clicking on v
ideo format and source in Watcher Settings dialog.
6.Watcher is single-cam software, how do I use Watcher for multi-cam scenario?
There are two solutions for that, click here fordetails.
7. I have two cameras and a modem, I am using multiple installation. Why I can on
ly watch video from one camera remotely?
For TCP/IP connection, a PC can open up many ports. Therefore RemoteView can con
nect to different Watchers listening on different port. For modem-to-modem conne
ction, there can be only one communication channel per modem (phone line). The o
nly possible way to achieve multiple connection is to have two modems connected
to your PC, which is not the case for most of the PCs.
8. What is DGW format?
DGW file is Digi-Watcher.com's proprietary file format that has the advantage of
high compression ratio. As a result, the video log files in our system are well
compressed to less than 1% of its original size, and yet, the quality is guaran
teed. Since the file format is proprietary, *.dgw files can not be played back u
sing any other software except for our Watcher and RemoteView.
We now have aDGW to AVI converter. This utility converts a *.dgw file to a *.avi
file, which can be played back using many popular video player.
9. What is "Status Log" window?
From the system menu (the little button on the upper left corner of Watcher), yo
u can choose "View all Status". This function is helpful when Watcher is perform
ing a lot of tasks and the status bar is being refreshed quickly. The "Status Lo
g" window will show all the previous status displayed on the status bar up to 10
0 messages. This is useful to the understanding how Watcher perform various task
s.
10. Can I use this product with my DV Camcorder?
Yes, as long as your DV Camcorder is VfW (Video for Windows) or WDM compatible,
your Camcorder can act as a webcam. One of the examples is Orange Micro'sWebCamDV
.
11. How do I use Watcher for multi-site integrated view on a single monitor to w
atch four remote store locations?
By utilizing Watcher and Remoteview, there are two ways to achieve that::
Suppose you have four PCs (A,B,C,D) at your four store locations, install Watche
r on all four PCs, each attached with a webcam or an analog camera with a captur
e card. You have a single PC (X) used to remotely monitor all four locations. Su
ppose all 5 PCs are connected in LAN.
1. Turn all Watchers in broadcasting mode, (broadcast to local webserver). And t
hen on your PC X, open 4 internet browsers, browse to PC A, B, C, D's IP address
es using the 5 browsers, and you will be able to see all four locations.
2. Turn all Watchers in Listening mode. Now, in PC X, install RemoteView four ti
mes, run all four RemoteViews, with each connecting to one Watcher, and you will
be able to see 4 real time streaming from 4 locations.
Best of all, monitoring mode can be operated simulatneously with either broadcas
ting or listening. So while you are remote watching, Watchers are logging down v
ideo clips when there are motions.
12. Does Watcher support audio?
Yes, from Version 2.10 onwards, Watcher supports audio. Please refer tothis pagefo
r help on how to enable audio for video recording, logging and remote streaming.
13. Can I view the video log files remotely?
Yes, from Version 2.10 onwards, Watcher supports this feature. Please refer tothi
s pageon how to enable the remote access of the video log files. Please also note
that for this feature to work, your PC has to be on line all the time.
14. Can Record, Monitor, Listen and Broadcast be turned on at the same time?
Monitor and Listen can be turned on at the same time.If both Monitor and Listen a
re enabled, the moment Watcher receives request from RemoteView to send real tim
e video, Monitor function will automatically pause. When the connection with Rem
oteView is closed, Monitor will resume and Watcher will keep on Listen for furth
er request from RemoteView.
Monitor and Broadcast can run concurrently. Monitor will not be stopped or pause
d at all. The two functions can run without interfering with each other
Record and Broadcast can also run concurrently. Record will not be stopped or pa
used at all. The two functions can run without interfering with each other
However, Listen and Broadcast cannot be running at the same time. This is because
both function enables user to view continuous images remotely. In this sense, t
hey are essentially serving the same purpose.
15. What is the frame rate that Watcher supports and what is the disk space requ
irement?
We did not list any reference to how many frames per sec or the disk space requi
red, because that varies with too many factors, for example, CPU, USB bandwidth,
memory, frame size, video settings, amount of motion, etc. For example, a video
with non-moving scene can be 1/10 of the size of a video with moving scene, a v
ideo with non-moving scene 's frame rate is also considerably higher. Generally
speaking, the frame rate that you can achieve with a moderate PC with medium fra
me size is about 3-15 frames per second. For disk space, the video is highly com
pressed, 1 hour continous video clip with medium frame size and moderate motion
usually requires only 10MB-50MB space, so one day's continuous recording only re
quires around 500MB storage. Watcher can auto-stop recording when it finds the d
isk space is not enough.
16. I'm using Watcher in broadcasting mode (broadcast to local web server), howe
ver, I already have another web server occupying port 80, what do I do?
You can simply change Watcher's local web server's listening port from 80 to ano
ther number, say, 81. You can do the change in Watcher's settings dialog: Genera
l Settings -> Internal Web Server.
Suppose you change Watcher's local web server to listen at port 81, then in the
internet browser, key in the following URL: http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:81
An alternative way is to let your existing web server (for example, Apache) poin
t to Watcher's "broadcasting" directory (you can find this sub-directory under W
atcher's installation directory), and use your web server instead of Watcher's i
nternal web server.
17. My PC has Windows XP default firewall running, hence RemoteView can't connec
t to Watcher, or Watcher's broadcasting is blocked, what do I do?
You can still use Windows XP's firewall, but make sure the TCP/IP port that Watc
her listens on (for RemoteView connection) is open. The default port is 5003. Pl
ease go to your network properties dialog, go to "Advanced" tab, if your "intern
et connection firewall" is enabled, you can see a "settings" button. Click on th
at, you will see a "advanced settings" dialog, under "services" tab, click on ad
d, a "service settings" dialog will pop up, enter any description, and enter the
IP address of your PC, put both "external port number" and "internal port numbe
r" as 5003, make sure TCP is selected. Click on "ok" after all the fields have b
een entered, and click on "ok" again.
For broadcasting (to local web server), the default port that Watcher listens on
is 80, so please follow the same above instructions to open port 80.
18. I understand that Watcher can operate in stealth mode, but how can I have th
e program even not shown in the ctrl+alt+del window?
Please go to Watcher's installation directory, and rename "Watcher.exe" to
"anything.exe", then what will appear in the Ctrl-Alt-Dlt window is
"anything.exe". However, please note that changing the name of "watcher.exe" wil
l make the shortcut on desktop faulty, and will also affect Watcher's scheduler
function, NT service function and auto-start function.
19. How do I specify a different log directory to store the logged video clips?
I'm afraid you can't change a log directory in Watcher's settings. This is to ma
ke the software simple and clean. However, there is an alternative way to do so,
please simply install Watcher into another directory or another drive, and then
the log directory will follow that new installation.
20. Can I use other webcam software (msn messenger, yahoo, etc) while Watcher is
accessing the same webcam?
Usually the answer is No, no two webcam software can access the same webcam at t
he same time (this is a Windows rule), unless the input video stream is splitted
.
Watcher, as a standard webcam software, does not do splitting of video source, t
his is outside the scope of generic webcam software.
Watcher interface with the driver, what the driver does (takes in
standard webcam video, or split video, or combine video) is transparent to Watch
er.
Some of our customers mentioned a product called SplitCam, which can be used tog
ether with Watcher (splitting of video source, one end
goes to Watcher, the other end goes to other application). However, please note
that we are not an affiliate of them, so this is not a recommendation, it is onl
y for your information. Please use it at your own choice and your own risk.
21. What is a SMTP server (for email alert)? How can I get one if I don't have?
In general, you should have a SMTP server even though you are not aware of it. S
MTP server is used to send emails. Please check your email client (e.g. Outlook)
's settings to find it out. You can also ask your ISP or network admin for the S
MTP server.
Even if you really don't have one, you can register a gmail account, then you ca
n use gmail's SMTP server, which is "smtp.gmail.com". Watcher's "More email sett
ings" provides hints on how to use gmail to send email alert.
Another solution is to install some local SMTP servers, and then in Watcher, con
figure SMTP server as 127.0.0.1, (representing local PC), then you will be able
to send emails. You can search for local SMTP servers in google.
If you encounter errors in email alert, please refer tohere.

RemoteView
1. What is RemoteView?
RemoteView is a program that you can install at a remote location, e.g. your off
ice or your notebook. It can connect to Watcher running at your home via a telep
hone line (modem) or internet (TCP/IP), that enables you to do remote video surv
eillance anywhere by real time video streaming.
The following two sections provide more FAQ about the modem connection and TCP/I
P connection.
2. What is modem-to-modem direct connection?
Note, the modem here refers to dial-up modem (PSTN modem). If you are in a LAN,
or use DSL, cable or other modems, you should be referring to TCP/IP connection.
Most people do not know that two dial-up modems can establish direct connection
and transfer data. Such a communication method can be very useful in the video s
urveillance software.
Two dial-up modems can communicate with each otherwithout dialing upto the interne
t. In other words, there is no ISP involved. A modem calling another modem is the
same as a phone calling another phone, except that it is now data being transmi
tted, instead of voice. When you use modem-to-modem connection to transmit real-t
ime video from Watcher to RemoteView, you have to make sure that both PC have mo
dem connected properly, phone line is plugged into modem properly, and the modem
is powered on. If you encounter problems with modem connection, please refer to
ourtrouble-shooting page.
When the modem dials up to a ISP, it can no longer be used for modem-to-modem di
rect connection. Instead, you should use TCP/IP connection, since your PC is onl
ine and have a IP address.
3. Why do I keep getting a busy signal when I dial in?
The most likely reason you will get a busy signal is because the line is busy. T
ry dialing again after a few minutes and you should get connected.
4. What is TCP/IP connection?
Your Internet client software such as Internet Explorer or Netscape uses the TCP
/IP network protocol to communicate with servers out on the Internet. A protocol
is a set of rules which govern communications.
In our case, the TCP/IP is mostly used to transmit video data between Watcher an
d RemoteView program. One very important element in the TCP/IP protocol is the I
P address of the two computers communicating with each other. The IP address uni
quely identify a computer in the internet world.
5. How can I get Watcher's PC's IP address?
To connect to Watcher using TCP/IP connection, or to access Watcher's broadcasti
ng page or video list page, you need to enter Watcher's IP address orhost namein R
emoteView's connect dialog, or the internet browser. You can use thewinipcfgoripcon
figcommand at your Watcher's PC to get this PC's IP address.
1. Click onStartButton from your desktop and Click "All Programs -> Accessories ->
Command Prompt"
2. Typewinipcfgand enter. (For Window NT/W2K user, please typeipconfigand enter)
3. You will be able to see the IP Address. Multiple IP addresses maybe shown, pl
ease identify the one with the appropriate network adaptor.

6. How can I obtain a permanent host name for Watcher PC where IP address is dyn
amically assigned?
Many dynamic DNS service provider give free service for end user to obtain a per
manent host name for their PCs which are usually assigned dynamic IP addresses,
eg. cable modem, DSL line or even on a dial up.
Examples of such service providers are http://www.dyndns.org, http://www.no-ip.co
m and many more. As a result of using such a service, the Watcher PC will have a
permanent host name which is much easier to remember, e.g. yourname.abc.com. At
RemoteView end, you only need to enter the hostname and it will automatically f
ind the current IP address of the Watcher PC and connects to it.
7. When to use Socks Proxy and Port and how to get it?
You only need to use SOCKS proxy if you are behind your company's firewall, and
your company do not allow software to directly connect to outside.
Check out how to obtain SOCKS proxy address and how to bypass the firewall below
.
8. Im using RemoteView in my company. My company has a firewall, how do I bypass
it to connect to Watcher?
Watcher provides connection through SOCKS version 4. If your companys proxy provi
des SOCKS version 4, simply input the SOCKS proxy address into the connect?dialog
of RemoteView, our software will help you to bypass the firewall using the SOCK
S.If you are not sure about the availability of SOCKS, take the following steps.
Usually, you can check these setting out from your Internet Browser. Let's take
Internet Explorer for example.
1. Go to "Tools" menu and select "Internet Options..."
2. Click on the "Connection" tab
3. Click on something like "LAN Setting..." (may be different for different vers
ion of IE), and you will be able to see the following dialog box:
4. Click on the "Advanced..." button, and you will get this:
Notice the field "Socks:". If there are proxy address and Port specified, you sh
ould use them for theRemoteView connection setting. However, if these two fields
are blank, you should try the HTTP Proxy address. In addition, by default the S
ocks Port is 1080.
Please be noted that the you should enter the numeric IP address of the proxy in
stead of its alphabetical name. (You can type "ping yourProxyName" in the MS-DOS
window to get proxy's IP address).
If you still can't find it or you are not sure,contact your companys network admin
istrator.
Some company even restrict the use of SOCKS, and block everything except HTTP (s
o that you can still surf web). In that case, you will have to rely on some thir
d-party software to do http tunneling. We recommend two free software that enabl
e you to do http tunneling. Httport can be found atwww.htthost.com, Socks2HTTP ca
n be found atwww.totalrc.net
9. My Watcher software is running at home with a personal firewall, how can I co
nnect to it using RemoteView from outside?
Watcher is listening at port 5003, if you are using TCP/IP connection. Make sure
your firewall allows outside connection request at port 5003. You should be abl
e to find that configuration in most of the well functional firewall softwares.
Please make sure your Watcher PC can be "seen" by the remote PC. Try to "ping" W
atcher PC's IP address on the remote PC to verify. (in the remote PC's DOS-Promp
t, type "ping xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx" where xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx is Watcher PC's IP address)
.
You might encounter some connectin problem if you run a LAN network at your home
. Your PC might have a local IP in LAN, instead of a global IP address. If both
Watcher PC and Remote PC are in the same LAN, that's no problem. However, if one
of them is outside the LAN, you have to make sure Watcher PC has an identifiabl
e and "seeable" IP address. (The analogy is that "mum" uniquely identify a perso
n in a single home, but not outside a home) You can consult your network admin o
r ISP support personnel if you have any doubts on your network connection. As fa
r as we know, some routers have settings like "port forwarding" which can solve
the above problem.