Hikvision Cameras & 24-Port NVRs Deliver Better Security and Reduced Liability at 70+ Midwest Car Washes

avril 4, 2023

Integrator Partner, Custom Connections Audio Video, Installed Hundreds of 4 MP and 4K Turret Cameras and 32-Channel NVRs to Expand Visibility and Video Storage

*This case study originally appeared in SJA: https://securityjournalamericas.com/midwest-car-washes-update-security/

Custom Connections Audio Video (Custom Connections), a Hikvision dealer based in Springboro, Ohio, was contracted to provide expertise for video security cameras for a car wash company with numerous locations.

 

Express Car Wash Concepts, out of Columbus, Ohio, has a broad portfolio of more than 200 car wash locations throughout the state that goes by various names in each region, including “Flying Ace” and “BeeClean,” “Moo Moo Carwash,” and “Clean Carwash.” The company contacted the owner of Custom Connections, Mark Crumbacher, to advise them on improving the visibility of vehicles traveling through the car wash tunnels to help reduce liabilities.

 

Liability is high for car washes. Vehicles are expensive assets, so a scratch, dent, or ding can easily cost thousands of dollars in repairs. In addition, having a robust, high-quality video security system in place is critical for Express Car Wash Concepts, as it is used heavily for forensics to determine if a specific car wash location caused damage to a vehicle when a customer makes a claim.

 

“Their average car wash needs between 15-20 security cameras. The primary goal is to capture the vehicle, including all sides and the top, with a high frame-rate scan of the vehicle upon entering and exiting the tunnel, “ said Crumbacher. The car wash also has cameras that cover the retail shop, the safe, hallways, equipment, and the cashier. “We recommended using Hikvision 4 MP and 4K turret cameras that offer a superior solution over dome cameras for the car wash, as the plastic covering on a dome lens and infrared (IR) can get cloudy over time or develop a pinhole leak that affects image quality. Turret cameras offer a rugged option with a longer performance that separates the IR from the lens, eliminates halo effects, and presents better clarity in the video and images. Over time, the turrets are easier to care for and present a better long-term investment.”

“We have been using Hikvision camera systems installed by Custom Connections AV exclusively for the past five years. The quality of the installation and equipment is just remarkable,” said Michael Boyle, Senior IT Manager at Express Car Wash Concepts. “Seeing damage on vehicles coming into our wash tunnels has saved us thousands of dollars in potential liability repairs. So many individuals enter our washes and, upon exit, blame our equipment for the damage they now see on their vehicles. With the installed camera systems, we can visibly show the damage vehicles had before they entered our wash. This crystal clear visibility includes fine scratches and minor rock chips that are very difficult to see.”

 

Boyle added that they could not produce this level of detail before using the Hikvision 4K cameras. “As a result, it cost us a great deal of money repairing vehicle damage we did not cause. These video systems have paid for themselves many times and continue to do so every day they operate.”

 

In addition to requiring better video camera coverage, the car washes were maxing out their existing 16-channel DVRs and constantly adding new switches to maintain the video footage records. Custom Connections recommended the Hikvision DS-7732NI-I4/24P plug-and-play PoE NVR with 32 channels and 24 ports. This simplified their record-keeping because it’s much easier than managing switches and holds more data with 30 TB per NVR.

 

Hikvision’s 4K AcuSense Fixed Turret Network Cameras DS-2CD2383G2-I(U) were installed at the entrances and exits of more than 70 car wash tunnels fur ultra-high definition video and images. Hikvision’s 4 MP AcuSense Fixed Turret Network Cameras DS-2CD2343G2-I(U) were placed throughout each car wash in other strategic locations (cashier, hallways, safe) to provide comprehensive site security. Both camera models are water and dust-resistant (IP67). They also feature AcuSense technology, which brings intelligence to the system with AI-driven human and vehicle target classification, simplifying forensic video searches.

The Hikvision 2 MP pinhole camera was used at the kiosks where customers pay on a touch screen. The screens on the kiosk are costly—costing around $3,000 to replace. The pinhole cameras also provide facial identification to go after people who’ve vandalized the screens.

 

The car washes also wanted a user-friendly GUI that was the same across all locations. They deployed the iVMS-4200 app with static IP addresses so company executives and managers could log in and see the system. Employees at each car wash site can access a 4K monitor with live video views inside their IT room. They can easily save video clips and send them to the corporate office via Dropbox or another tool for review.

 

“All in all, the upgraded Hikvision video cameras with a robust NVR helped to deliver better protection against liability for Express Car Wash Concepts,” said Crumbacher.

 

“Mark Crumbacher and his team at Custom Connection are professional, efficient, and experienced in installing the camera systems we need at our facilities. Car washes are a tough environment for video systems. These cameras perform in very wet and chemical-filled environments. Custom Connections knows our business and how to place equipment in locations that are protected from the wash setting while still being able to capture the information we need. They are also always willing to help us when challenges arise and have gone the extra mile more times than I can remember,” said Boyle.

IMPORTANT! Ce modèle nécessite un logiciel non standard. N'installez pas de logiciel standard (par exemple, v.4.1.xx) sur ce modèle. Cela endommagerait définitivement votre système. Vous devez utiliser le logiciel personnalisé v.4.1.25 à partir de la page du produit iDS-9632NXI-I8/16S

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.

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