How do you sync time with your cameras? I have 15

[rickroll]

So, I have a server Blue Iris and 15 different locations with Annke (clone of Hik cameras) streaming video to that server, and recording. Since the time change the cameras didn't switch and I had to manually switch time in each camera. I tried numerous time servers with no luck. I also installed Nettime program on the server and disabled ntptime in Windows server. I then added 123 port to my firewall where camera resides and where my server is, and put server's IP into camera option to sync and it still doesn't work.

Does anyone know the solution?
I used to have Lorex setup and it was the same thing, they would never sync.

 

[fenderman]

So, I have a server Blue Iris and 15 different locations with Annke (clone of Hik cameras) streaming video to that server, and recording. Since the time change the cameras didn't switch and I had to manually switch time in each camera. I tried numerous time servers with no luck. I also installed Nettime program on the server and disabled ntptime in Windows server. I then added 123 port to my firewall where camera resides and where my server is, and put server's IP into camera option to sync and it still doesn't work.

Does anyone know the solution?
I used to have Lorex setup and it was the same thing, they would never sync.

you need to open the port 123 UDP...also remember that an NTP server ignores DST, so you must set that up in the camera itself to make the change...you tell the camera what day and time to change to DST

 

[rickroll]

you need to open the port 123 UDP...also remember that an NTP server ignores DST, so you must set that up in the camera itself to make the change...you tell the camera what day and time to change to DST

Whoaa...it ignores DST? How come server/computers are not affected by it?

 

[rickroll]

Also, is there a way to set things, so I don't have to touch them ever again? What if someone has 200 cameras, he has to set up DST every year since the dates always change?

 

[Mr_D]

Whoaa...it ignores DST? How come server/computers are not affected by it?

Computers know when to change based on their location settings. I remember when the US changed the daylight saving switchover dates and I had to manually update Windows 2000. XP was still maintained and received the updates automatically.

 

[alastairstevenson]

Whoaa...it ignores DST? How come server/computers are not affected by it?

Think about it - it's the NTP server that ignores DST - it just provides the time. To any device in the world that requests it.
It's the client device that decides whether to use a local offset to the time.

 

[alastairstevenson]

Also, is there a way to set things, so I don't have to touch them ever again?

Just configure DST on the cameras.
Job done.

 

[Mr_D]

Also, is there a way to set things, so I don't have to touch them ever again? What if someone has 200 cameras, he has to set up DST every year since the dates always change?

At least in my Dahua, there's a page that lets me say: DST starts on 2nd Sunday in March.....ends 1st Sunday in November. It can be configured however you need for your country.

 

[rickroll]

At least in my Dahua, there's a page that lets me say: DST starts on 2nd Sunday in March.....ends 1st Sunday in November. It can be configured however you need for your country.

Does this seem to be correct?

 

[rickroll]

Does this seem to be correct?

Ah just noticed myself, DST Bias should be 60mins

 

[Mr_D]

Ah just noticed myself, DST Bias should be 60mins

Yeah, looks right except I think the end time should be 02 instead of 01. ie 2am

 

[bp2008]

For anyone interested, here is a correct configuration of a Dahua camera for someone in the MST/MDT time zone and with an NTP server running at 192.168.0.123:

It is mostly the same as Hikvision. A few small differences. Another point of possible confusion is which time zone you need to choose. Daylight savings time (in the USA anyway) technically switches people between different time zones. Like right now people in the "Mountain Time" zone (Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Alberta, etc) are observing MDT (Mountain Daylight Time) which only has a -6 hour offset from GMT. However a month ago in February we were observing MST (Mountain Standard Time) which has a -7 hour offset. Each of the major time zones in north America has a "Daylight" time zone and a "Standard" time zone. Apparently Dahua's interface wants you to choose the offset from the "Standard" time zone.

 

[DognamedTank]

If you are using that many Hikvision clones, you should try the Hikvision BatchConfigTool. You can download at http://hikvision.com/en/Tools_82.html.You can configure one camera and then copy the different settings (all or just a specific setting) to all of your other Hikvision cams.

 

[Tolting Colt Acres]

I just leave everything I own in UTC and then add the offset in my head. Easier and I never have worry about changing a clock.

 

[Trax95008]

I just leave everything I own in UTC and then add the offset in my head. Easier and I never have worry about changing a clock.

I’m sure if you were supplying footage to the police they would prefer the correct time stamp

 

[TonyR]

I’m sure if you were supplying footage to the police they would prefer the correct time stamp

True, but to quote an old Rolling Stones lyric..."You can't always get what you want, But if you try sometimes you might find, You get what you need."

I'd tell 'em about the offset and I'm pretty sure they could handle it. I know they can tell me exactly how much over the speed limit I was going.

 

[Tolting Colt Acres]

I’m sure if you were supplying footage to the police they would prefer the correct time stamp

I have, numerous times. Along with an affidavit attesting the recording is a true copy, and the notation that time stamps are indicated in UTC. Hasn't been a problem yet. I do not think Johnny Cochran is going to get OJ off because the timestamp on the recording is in UTC rather than PST.

I'd tell 'em about the offset and I'm pretty sure they could handle it.

The local constabulary seems to have no problem. Most of them are former military.

 

[Trax95008]

How do you prove it’s UTC?

 

[Tolting Colt Acres]

How do you prove it’s UTC?

How do you prove EDT is EDT? Or PST is PST?

Stop being silly.

 

[Trax95008]

I see your point, but it seems more logical to set it to local time. There’s nothing to gain by setting it to anything else. Therefore, it would be a red flag in my mind if someone told me the time was off... configuring the time zone, and DST is easy and just one more step with all the other configuration that happens when setting it up. It seems lazy to me