Kettering College Nursing Students Gain Innovative, Remote Video Learning with Hikvision Mini Dome Cameras, NVRs, and A/V by Integrator Custom Connections

April 4, 2023

A private Adventist healthcare college located in Kettering, Ohio, Kettering College has several specialties, including nursing, human biology, respiratory care, and others. Its Accelerated Nursing Program sought out Ohio-based Hikvision dealer, Custom Connections Audio Video (Custom Connections), to help them devise a scenario to share their lab-based learning with students via video and audio in classrooms and remotely, especially during COVID-19.

 

“Medical simulations are integral to nursing education, providing students with hands-on experience and exposure to real-life scenarios they will encounter in their professional careers. In addition, with the advent of technology, recording these simulations has become a vital tool for evaluating student performance and providing feedback for improvement,” said Phillip Smith, the Director of Simulation Technology at Kettering College's Division of Nursing.

 

Each of their seven labs is a bay with a bed. Professors use a mechanical mannequin as a “patient,” controlled by an iPad. Using this mannequin, nursing program professors can demonstrate a variety of conditions to provide a rich learning environment for students, such as cardiac arrest or low blood pressure, and simulate what the patient is doing and how to treat it.

 

The owner of Custom Connections, Mark Crumbacher, devised a way to achieve their goals using Hikvision 4 MP AcuSense Fixed Mini Dome Network Cameras (2.8mm DS-2CD2543G2-IS) and the embedded plug-and-play NVR (4 TB DS-7608NI-I2/8P). Each lab contains seven mini dome cameras to capture live video and one NVR that shares data with their central control room.

 

 

Inside the control room is an HDMI splitter for each lab that sends live views to 4k monitors. It can also take HDMI cable, deliver the live view to their PC, and share that screen and audio with a virtual classroom. The setup provides flexibility, as professors can control the NVR with a wireless mouse at each bay.

 

“In a past installation we did for the Kettering College IPE Simulation Center—similar to the nursing program—we took all seven exam rooms (each equipped with an 8-channel NVR and seven mini dome cameras) and connected them into an HDMI matrix that sent the signal to the control room and a classroom down the hall. This setup enables a classroom of students to watch and listen to a live simulation from any of the exam rooms,” said Crumbacher. He added that students could view this simulation using their 4K projector and hear the two-way communication with the in-ceiling audio system from the classroom. 

 

For the Accelerated Nursing Program, the college wanted to share each lab with the control room and a classroom of students for remote learning. Since Custom Connections took the two-way communication system and split the audio to all seven cameras, students watching this remotely can watch and hear the action. In addition, all communication from the control room and all conversations in the exam rooms can be heard on the remote session.

 

“Our decades of experience with audio/video, paired with the quality of Hikvision’s cameras and NVRs, helped Kettering College’s Accelerated Nursing Department deliver high-quality remote learning during the pandemic and beyond. In addition, it gave staff and students the flexibility to learn in multiple environments,” said Crumbacher.

 

Kettering College

 

Smith notes that using the YuJa video capture tool has improved the quality of student feedback, allowing for a more objective assessment of their performance. Additionally, the recorded sessions have become a valuable resource for students to review and reflect on their performance, leading to increased self-awareness and improvement.

 

“Mark Crumbacher, the CEO of Custom Connections, has played a crucial role in implementing video capture at Kettering College's Division of Nursing. Custom Connections is a technology solutions provider for higher education institutions. They have worked closely with Kettering College to ensure the successful integration of the YuJa video capture tool into our Canvas learning management system (LMS),” Smith said. He added: “Integrating YuJa video capture within the Canvas LMS has revolutionized the recording of medical simulations for nursing students. With the support of companies like Hikvision and Custom Connections and the expertise of simulation technologists like Kettering’s Gerson Hortua, nursing schools can provide a more effective and efficient learning experience for their students.”

IMPORTANT! This model requires non-standard firmware. Do Not Install standard firmware (e.g. v.4.1.xx) on this model. Doing so will permanently damage your system. You must use custom firmware v.4.1.25 from the iDS-9632NXI-I8/16S product page.

View the most updated version of this document here:

https://techsupportca.freshdesk.com/en/support/solutions/articles/17000113531-i-series-nvr-firmware-upgrade-instructions

 

The I-series NVR (such as the DS-7716NI-I4) is one of Hikvision's most popular and feature-rich recorders. As such, many firmware revisions have been introduced over the years to continually ensure the product is compatible with the newest technology available. Due to the many revisions, we recommend that the user closely follows the instructions below in order to reduce the amount of time spent as well as the chance of failure.

 

Database Optimization and Repair

As more affordable IP cameras are introduced over time with greater video resolution and data sizes, more efficient database management also becomes necessary. The introduction of firmware v4.0 brought about a new database architecture in order to be futureproof.

 

After upgrading to v4.X, the recorder database will need to be converted and optimized. If you are experiencing issues where playback is expected but not found, make sure "Database Repair" is performed as indicated in the procedures and scenarios below.

 

Preparing the Upgrade

Before proceeding with upgrade, it is recommended that NVR configuration file is exported from the NVR over the network or on to a local USB drive.

 

Upgrading from v3.4.92 build 170518 or Older

  1. All recorders must reach v3.4.92 before proceeding further. Upgrading from versions before v3.4.92 directly to any version of v4.X will likely cause the recorder to fail.
  2. If the recorder is already at v3.4.92, a full factory default is highly recommended before upgrading to any version of v4.X. There is a high chance of unit failure (requiring RMA) if the unit is not defaulted before upgrade.
  3. After reaching v3.4.92 and performing a full factory default, an upgrade directly to v4.50.00 is acceptable.
  4. After the upgrade is completed and the recorder is reprogrammed, it may be beneficial to perform a Database Repair. For details, refer to the section "Database Optimization and Repair" above.
  5. To verify repair progress, you may refer to the HDD status, or search the recorder log for repair started and stopped entries. Note that while the HDD is repairing, new recordings are still being made, but some existing recordings may not be searchable until repair is complete.
  6. If you continue to observe playback issues after database repair, ensure there are no power, network, or motion detection issues. Should the problem persist, contact technical support.

 

Upgrading from Any v4.X Build to v4.50.00.

  1. Any v4.X build can be upgraded directly to v4.50.00.
  2. Export configuration is highly recommended before performing the upgrade.
  3. If upgrading from any v4.X version that was not v4.22.005, a Database Repair is recommended. Refer to Step 4 and onwards in the previous section.

 

Downgrading

Downgrading is not recommended. Due to new features and parameters constantly being added, downgrading may cause the NVR to factory default itself or require a manual default to operate properly.

View the most updated version of this document here:
K-Series DVR upgrade instruction
The Turbo 4 Hybrid DVR K series has multiple models and across different platform and chipset. It also has similar firmware development of other recording product line; DVR K series has also introduced the GUI4.0 to ensure the series to be compatible to the newest technology available. The new database architecture is also brought into the DVR firmware v4.0 to be future proof and for better recording search experience. 
 


Database Optimization and Repair

As more affordable cameras introduced over time with greater video resolution and data sizes, more efficient database management also becomes necessary. The introduction of firmware v4.0 brought about a new database architecture in order to be futureproof.
After upgrading to v4.X, the recorder database will need to be converted and optimize. If you are experiencing issues, where playback is expected but not found, please make sure to perform "Database Rebuild" as indicated in the procedures and scenarios below.
 


Preparing the Upgrade

Before proceeding with upgrade, it is recommend exporting DVR configuration file from the DVR over the network or on to a local USB drive.

 

Action after firmware upgraded 

1. Upgrade the DVR according to the chart above. 

2. Reconfirming Channel's Recording Schedule 

    - Confirm channel's recording schedule is enable. 

    - Check if the channel is on correct recording schedule.

3. Double Check Storage Setting

    - Make sure all channel are assigned to record on its HDD group when the Storage setting is under Group Mode. 

4. Perform Database Rebuild locally. 

    • Some version above support Database Rebuild via web access - K51 and K72

    • Perform Database Rebuild regardless if system is having any database issue symptom. 

    • Database Rebuild process is average ~30 to 60min per TB. The process may still varies depends recording data.

    • After Database Rebuild - Check log to confirm Database Rebuild has went thru properly. 

    • If Database Rebuild Started and Stopped log has been log only within few minutes. Database rebuild may not has been completed properly. It is strongly recommend performing the Database Rebuild again.

    • To check log > System > Log > Information > Database Rebuild Started and Stopped.

    • If the log option is not available - access system via SSH can also obtain similar result.

5. Recording Data is still missing after database rebuild process. 

If the data has not been recorded or has been overwritten, Database rebuild process is not able retrieve those lost data. Have the system upgraded to the latest available firmware version above to prevent any future data lost is strongly recommended for all application.

 

 

 

 

In light of the global semiconductor shortage, Hikvision has made some hardware changes to the DS-76xxNI-Q1(2)/P NVRs, also known as “Q series.”

 

These changes do not have any effect on the performance, specifications, or the user interface of the NVRs. For the ease of reference, these modified units are known as “C-Version” units. This is clearly indicated on the NVR label and on the box by the serial number.

 

The only difference between the “C-Version” and “non-C-Version” is the firmware. The firmware is not interchangeable:

 

  • The C-Version NVRs must use firmware version v4.31.102 or higher.
  • The non-C-Version (Q series) NVRs must use firmware version v4.30.085 or older.

 

Please do not be alarmed if a “Firmware Mismatch” message pops up on the screen during the firmware upgrade. This simply means that the firmware does not match the NVR’s hardware. Simply download the correct firmware and the upgrade will go through without any issue.

In light of the global semiconductor shortage, Hikvision has made some hardware changes to the Value Express Series NVRs

These changes do not have any effect on the performance and specification of the recorders. For ease of reference, these modified units are known as “C-Version” units. This is clearly indicated on the NVR label and on the box by the serial number.

The only difference between the “C-Version” and “non-C-Version” is the firmware. The firmware is not interchangeable:

  • The C-Version NVRs must use firmware version v4.30.216 or higher.
  • The non-C-Version (Q series) NVRs must use firmware version v3.4.104 or older.

Please do not be alarmed if a “Firmware Mismatch” message pops up on the screen during the firmware upgrade. This simply means that the firmware does not match the NVR’s hardware. Simply download the correct firmware and the upgrade will go through without any issue.

By downloading and using software and other materials available via this website, you agree to be legally bound by HIKVISION General Terms of Use . If you don’t agree to these terms, you may not download or use any of those materials.

If you are agreeing on behalf of your company, you represent and warrant that you have legal authority to bind your company to the General Terms of Use above. Also you represent and warrant that you are of the legal age of majority in the jurisdiction in which you reside (at least 18 years of age in many countries).