Best method to keep track of NVR Config Settings?

[Fastb]

All,

Today's NVR is very configurable! Nice! So many options, check-boxes and features to enable or disable.

I want to hear the "Best Practices" for keeping track of all these settings!

Sure, I can use the NVR ui, or use the browser ui to check settings. Maybe I'm lazy, or maybe "old-school" who prefers a speedy (paper) quick-reference card.

Here's the situation.
Consider Alarms: My NVR has 4 Alarm inputs, and 2 Alarm outputs. And cameras can add Alarm inputs. And can trigger an NVR Alarm output.
Consider configuration flexibility: Many things can trip an alarm: Motion Detect, Smart Detect (IVS), NVR alarm inputs, Camera ext alarm inputs, audio, HDD, tampering, etc.

I've been tweaking my system. I'd love to have a "cheat sheet" or a "Quick Ref Card" to check when my red strobe (Alarm out #1) or blue strobe (Alarm out #2) fires. I use different duration to help, ie: MD is 8 seconds of red flash, but breaking my external laser trip line is 15 seconds of blue flash.

I exported the NVR config file from the NVR. I wanted to import to Excel or Word to show my settings. Nope: It's a binary file, unusable. Thwarted.

Installers and pros, plz share your "Best Practices"!

How do you keep track of;
- NVR configuration details & tweaks you made for your customers?
- Camera settings, eg: fps, resolution, image and alarm settings?
- Did you create your own Excel sheet? Double-purpose - used for the site survey of a new customer location...

Thanks in advance!

 

[nayr]

screenshots, mine are synced to server automatically so just take em and dig through them as needed.

i have a photographic memory, so I am famously horrible about not labeling things.. bad for everyone else and bad for me when someone messes with things.

 

[marid2apterbilt]

No pro here but I save and date the config files for each NVR and camera. I'd suggest keeping a spread sheet with date and changes made, device or cam #, and ip address of each device. include the ip for any smart switches and routers.

Like nayr I can usually remember what I changed on what but I'm not dealing with multiple locations..

To assist I've listed all my cam ips so each differt type starts a new # 110/111/121/123/124/196/197/198. I will admit I've been telling myself to make a spreadsheet to keep track just haven't yet..