Video Preferences

These properties apply to the camera and are used for video playback and live video views.

Figure 47 Video Preferences properties

Preferred Background Color
Click the color to display the Color Chooser.
Preferred Aspect Ratio
This property defines the ratio of the width to the height of the video window. It defaults to the parent device’s aspect ratio. When you drag the camera output in the viewer the driver preserves the aspect ratio.
Preferred Resolution
This property specifies the pixel resolution of each transmitted frame. The actual pixel values for these three relative settings are defined in the video device.
Preferred Frame Rate
This property defines the speed of the video stream. Three options are available: Low, Medium, and High.
Preferred Compression
This property specifies the level of compression used during live video streaming. The actual compression values for these relative settings are defined in the video device. Higher compression uses less bandwidth but negatively affects image quality.
Preferred Fox Video Stream
This property allows you to select or decline the use of Fox streaming.
- inherit
  This option causes a device to use the value for this property that is set at its parent component (DVR or network component).
- true
  This option sends the video stream from the video camera to the station (controller) and then forwards it to the Workbench interface through the standard Fox connection. This overcomes firewall issues in the event that the video surveillance system is not exposed to the outside world on its network.
  
  NOTE: This assumes that the controller is exposed - otherwise you could not even connect to the station.
  
  If this option is selected, you should consider setting the resolution and Frame Rate to Low and the compression to High in order to preserve CPU usage in the station (controller).
- false
  This option sends the video stream directly from the video camera to the Workbench interface. Using this setting allows you to set the resolution and Frame Rate to High without having to worry about reducing the station (JACE) CPU - the station is removed from the equation. In either case, the client-side computer expends some of its CPU utilization to render the video on the screen.
  
  NOTE: CPU usage varies greatly depending on the capabilities of the client-side PC. Typically this method can only be used when the client browser or Workbench interface is accessed through a VPN connection. In this configuration, both the NiagaraAX station and the remote client must connect to the video device using the same IP address.
- Timestamp Preferred
  Set this property to true to display and record a timestamp on the video.
- Interframe Timeout
  This property defines the time allowed for the video stream to begin in hours, minutes and seconds.