FAQ
- Q: What can I do with CAVU Pro and Cirrus?
- Q: What do I need to get started?
- Q: How can my system access the Internet?
- Q: What if my provider does not allow to pass HTTP port 80 through
- Q: What is CAVU Pro?
- Q: What are some features offered on CAVU Pro?
- Q: What is Cirrus?
- Q: Can I test Cirrus Surveillance Management Software before I buy it?
- Q: What does CAVU stand for?
- Q: How can I purchase CAVU Pro?
- Q: Is the Cirrus software a DVR (digital video recorder)?
- Q: After I load the Cirrus Surveillance Management Software on my Mac, how do I get the cameras connected?
- Q: How do I receive support for my CAVU Pro mobile surveillance application setup?
- Q: Why can’t I see any cameras on CAVU Pro?
- Q: Where do I purchase Cirrus Surveillance Management Software to control CAVU Pro)?
- Q: The image quality of the cameras is very poor. What can I do to make it better?
- Q: What is proper lighting?
- Q: Can I use my existing security cameras with Cirrus and CAVU Pro?
- Q: I am having a very difficult time getting this up and running. I have read the quick start guide and the requirements page but I just can't seem to get it going, what do I do?
- Q: What is camera resolution?
- Q: Can I use Cirrus and CAVU Pro to control a security camera's pan-tilt-zoom movement?
- Q: Why is my camera(s) streaming the first few frames and then freezes with a "red X" in left top corner?
- Q: I do not have any surveillance cameras and need to buy them. What do I need and where do I buy them from?
- Q: What if I have more then 16 cameras and have a larger, more sophisticated system requirements?
Q: What can I do with CAVU Pro and Cirrus?
A: Cirrus Surveillance Management Software allows users to manage IP cameras and to record video to your storage device. Data is then published into a Web browser, which is accessible over your network. This application allows users to view live video, control the position for PTZ cameras, allow motion detection for alerts/notifications, review archived video and events, view multiple live cameras displayed simultaneously. CAVU Pro is an iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad client for Cirrus which provides the same set of capabilities.
Q: What do I need to get started?
A: You fill need the following to begin using the Cirrus system:
A Mac computer; a high-end Mac mini is an optimal choice)
Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard); Cirrus does not yet support Mac OS Lion
USB or Firewire storage drive. A second drive may be used if the Mac contains one.
Network (IP) or USB cameras
Optional: an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad.
You will need to buy the Cirrus Surveillance Management software on this web site via the buy page and install it on your new or existing Mac. You will have to buy CAVU Pro via the iTunes Store. Please follow the instructions to get software installed and configured. If you need help, you can refer to the quick start guide on the support page or fill out the support form and a representative will contact you.
Q: How can my system access the Internet?
A: Your firewall should follow these settings: pass HTTP on TCP port 80, RTSP on TCP/UDP port 8554 and messaging on TCP port 10000. This information can usually be found in the "Firewall Rules" section of the router settings for your browser.
Q: What if my provider does not allow to pass HTTP port 80 through?
A: The Cirrus Surveillance Management Software application will allow you to pass port 80 over alternative ports like 8080 or 8085. Be sure to properly set the port in browser URL (http://your_server:8080/) or in the CAVU Pro application settings. See the quick start guide for more information.
Q: What is CAVU Pro?
A: CAVU Pro is a mobile surveillance application available on Apple's iTunes Store that is used to view live and archived surveillance video from the Cirrus Surveillance Management Software on your Mac platform (Mac mini, MacBook Pro, Mac Pro or Xserve, etc.)
Q: What are some features offered on CAVU Pro?
A: CAVU Pro connects to the Cirrus Surveillance Management Software. It offers a camera matrix on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch; live video with PTZ controls (for cameras with point, zoom, tilt capabilities); records and archives video; and provides expansive events/alarm log and access. It also allows the users to connect to mutiple servers. CAVU Pro streams live video from the iPhone camera with GPS position via Google Earth (found on the Cirrus software).
Q: What is Cirrus?
A: This is the software that is needed to properly operate CAVU Pro on the backend server (Apple's Mac mini, MacBook Pro, MacPro, Xserve, etc.). Cirrus is simple, easy to use, and offers many great features for managing your video surveillance.
Q: Can I test Cirrus Surveillance Management Software before I buy it?
A: Yes, go to the demo page on this site.
Q: What does CAVU stand for?
A: Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited (an aviation term)
Q: How can I purchase CAVU Pro?
A: You can purchase them via the Apple's iTunes Store. Simply search for CAVU Pro or videoNEXT.
Q: Is the Cirrus software a DVR (digital video recorder)?
A: No, it is an NVR a “network video recorder” and uses open software on commercially available off the shelf hardware (Mac). This makes it very simple to scale and doesn’t give you any hardships with proprietary hardware/software.
Q: After I load the Cirrus Surveillance Management Software on my Mac, how do I get the cameras connected?
A: Please refer to the quick start guide. If your still having difficulties getting this to all work, please fill out the support page form and a representative contact you shortly.
Q: How do I receive support for my CAVU Pro mobile surveillance application setup?
A: Go to the support page and locate the quick start guide for information. If you are still having difficulties, please enter your information and a representative will be in contact you shortly.
Q: Why can’t I see any cameras on CAVU Pro?
A: Is your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch pointed to a server with Cirrus software loaded on a Mac and does it have any security cameras connected to it? If not, you need to point your device to this specific server and have that same server (Mac) loaded with the Cirrus software.
Q: Where do I purchase Cirrus Surveillance Management Software to control CAVU Pro)?
A: You can purchase from the buy page on this web site or from an authorized reseller or distributor such as Tech Depot, Tekserve, Tech Data.
Q: The image quality of the cameras is very poor. What can I do to make it better?
A: Make sure you do not have any “classical” issues with the backlight. For example, the camera should not look straight into the open door of a dark room. Provide adequate lighting. Adequate camera placement and lighting are crucial. If your video is still giving poor quality – you might consider getting better (and likely more expensive) cameras. Axis is great and modestly priced; many USB-type cameras are good, but not best and may be purchased in your local electronics store or online.
Q: What is proper lighting?
A: Proper lighting is very important in the world of surveillance. If an object is not illuminated it is very difficult to produce a viewable picture. Fortunately there are security cameras that can work in very little visible light. We now have security cameras that can "see" with infrared light. This can be quite useful if your surveillance application requires your security camera to work in the dark. Infrared light is invisible to the human eye, but to a security camera that is sensitive to this type of light it may appear to be daylight while remaining dark to the observer.
Q: Can I use my existing security cameras with Cirrus and CAVU Pro?
A: Axis cameras are recommended, but many IP-based or USB-based cameras work. IP cameras are currently integrated with Cirrus. We are always working to integrate other manufacturers. If you have a camera you would like to recommend, please let us know via the support tab on this site.
Q: I am having a very difficult time getting this up and running. I have read the quick start guide and the requirements page but I just can't seem to get it going, what do I do?
A: Go to the support page and enter in your information, your issue and based your support package you purchased and the time you purchased your software, we will be happy to help you. Your request will be put in a queue for first come, first serve.
Q: What is camera resolution?
A: Security camera resolution is a measurement of the security cameras clarity. A security camera's resolution is determined by the number of horizontal video lines (like 400 or 430 lines) that the security camera needs in order to reproduce the desired image — the higher the resolution number, the sharper the image. Although resolution is important when considering which security camera to purchase, the quality of the security cameras components is much more important. We only sell high resolution, name brand, quality security cameras.
Q: Can I use Cirrus and CAVU Pro to control a security camera's pan-tilt-zoom movement?
A: Yes. This is offered virtually on your screens (via iPhone, iPad & iPod touch). There are two ways to do so. Simply use your finger to drag/point the camera, or use a controller to overlay onto the camera.
Q: Why is my camera(s) streaming the first few frames and then freezes with a "red X" in left top corner?
A: If you are using MPEG-4 or H.264 and your channel bandwidth is unable to sustain the video stream, you may observe the camera to display the first few frames, then freeze with "red X". Then, this is followed by a stream re-start within the next few seconds, and then cycle repeats. The problem is that your bandwidth may be insufficient for the video parameters you configured for the camera. You can try reducing resolution, switching from "Constant bitrate" to "Variable bitrate" and setting lower limits on the Target / Maximum bit-rate. Multiple cameras viewed simultaneously will sum their bandwidth, which may lead to situation when you have one camera working until you open next camera simultaneously.
Q: I do not have any surveillance cameras and need to buy them. What do I need and where do I buy them from?
A: You will need to purchase network IP cameras. We highly recommend Axis Communications, all models. You can purchase these online via many sources including Amazon, Best Buy, CDW and others. If you have any questions about any cameras, please ask us via our support tab on this site first.
Q: What if I have more then 16 cameras and have a larger, more sophisticated system requirements?
A: Go to the "videonext" button (lower right side of home page) and go to the contact page to request to have someone contact you or call videoNEXT via 703.657.1200, option 1.
