Night Owl Protect CMS Download and Setup Guide

Click from the list below to navigate to that section of this guide for more information!

1. Downloading and Installing the CMS 
2. How to Login
3. Device Status
4. Live View
5. Playback
6. Saving Recordings for Long-Term Storage
7. How to Tell What Version of the CMS you Have

NOTE: Images may vary slightly. This troubleshooting guide was accurate at the time it was created, but new software updates may not be reflected. However, the steps will be the same!

1. Downloading and Installing the CMS

To download the Night Owl Protect CMS for your PC or Mac, please acknowledge below. The .zip file contains both the Mac and PC version of CMS. Once downloaded, please follow the steps below to install.

Installation for Mac users:

NOTE: CMS may not be compatible with older versions of Mac OS. Please ensure you are using at least Mac OS 12.0 or newer to install.

1) Once downloaded, click and drag the "Night Owl Protect CMS" file to the Applications folder. This will cause a pop up to appear stating the application cannot be downloaded. Click on the "Cancel" button to close the pop up.

2) After you cancelled the pop-up, open the Apple menu, then go to System Settings, and click on Privacy & Security. If this section is locked, you will need to click on the lock to allow for changes to be made (This will ask you to enter your administrator password for your device to proceed). 

3) In the "Allow apps downloaded from:" section, you should see that "Night Owl Protect CMS" was recently blocked. Click on "Open Anyway" to allow the CMS to install.

Follow any prompts that appear during the install and once completed, CMS will have been installed.

Installation for PC users:

1) Your web browser may ask for your confirmation to download the file. If prompted, select "Keep" or "Allow" and the download will finish. Once downloaded, open your Downloads folder and right click on the downloaded file. Click on "Extract All" and select where you want the folder to be extracted to. If Windows has the option, check the box that says "Show extracted files when complete" and your files will open when finished.

2) Open the file (if it is not already open) to find the Night Owl Protect CMS Setup .exe file. Double click it to begin.

• Windows may prevent the installation if it does not recognize the application. If so, click on the "More Info" link and then "Run Anyway" when prompted.

3) Follow the on screen prompts and click "Finish" once done. CMS has now been installed.

2. How to Login

With Night Owl Protect, there is more than one way to login. You can enter your phone number, username or email followed by your password.

Enter your Night Owl Protect login credentials and then click “Log In.” 

• If you have not created a Night Owl Protect account, Click on this link to begin creating your account.
  
  

Once logged in, you will see all Night Owl devices you have added to your Protect account from the mobile app or by logging into your recorder with your Protect credentials.

3. Device Status

NOTE: Your Night Owl device must be connected to the Internet to view and open this software.

Device statuses update you on the current status of your Night Owl device.

1. Online
   1. 1. The recorder has been logged into with Night Owl Protect and is currently connected to the Internet.
2. Offline
   1. 1. The recorder has been logged into with Night Owl Protect but is not currently connected to the Internet.
         
         NOTE: If you are unexpectedly experiencing this status, we strongly suggest you check to ensure your Night Owl device is powered on and is connected to your Internet network.
3. Local Access Only
   1. 1. The recorder has been registered but has not been logged into with Night Owl Protect. You can locally access the recorder from a TV/monitor, but not remotely from a Smart Device, PC or Mac.
         
         

         NOTE: If you are experiencing this status, please perform the following steps:

         1. Plug an Ethernet cable from your router (network) to your Night Owl recorder.
         2. Wait until a system prompt appears stating “Internet Detected.”
         3. Click “Login.”
         4. Enter your local admin password.
         5. Click “Login” again.
         6. On the Night Owl Protect App icon page, click “I already have an account.”
         7. Enter your Night Owl Protect login credentials.
         8. Logout of the Night Owl Protect CMS and log back in.
         9. Your Night Owl device should now be showing an Online status.

4. Live View

Live View will show live footage from the cameras connected to your Night Owl device.

To access live view, select the device you wish to view and then click the “Live View” button.

NOTE: Loading times may vary based on the number of cameras you have connected and your Internet viewing speeds.

At the bottom of the Live View, you will find your control bar which allows you to select how many cameras you view at a time and/or scroll through your different cameras/views.

On the right side of the Live View, you can select which cameras/channels you want to view. 

NOTE: The dot to the left of the camera/channel name must be red to view it. If it is not, click on the grey dot to enable that camera/channel.

5. Playback

Allows you to playback recordings from your connected Night Owl device. Additionally, you can save the recording directly to your PC or Mac for long-term storage or sharing.

NOTE: Playback will only play the recordings on the device from start to finish. If you wish to control the recording (such as pause the recording or rewind to a previous point), you will need to download the recording and use your computer's video software.

1. To access playback, select the device you wish to view recording on and then click the “Playback” button.
2. This will open a blank playback screen with your playback filters and selection on the right.
   
   
   
   
3. Filter your search by Camera, Event Type and Date to find the recordings you want to playback. Once you have found the recording you want to view, click on the recording on the right ride and you will see the recording start to load.
   

6. Saving or Exporting Recordings for Long-Term Storage

Allows you to save recordings to your PC or Mac for long-term storage.

1. From the Playback screen, simply click the download icon to the right of the recording you wish to download. This will allow you to rename the recording and select where you want the recording to be saved on your device.

7. How to Tell What Version of the CMS you Have

To assist our agents, in the event you need technical assistance, you may be asked what version of the software you have installed.

a. Click on the "About" button which will open a pop up window showing what version you have. 

Thank you for Choosing Night Owl!