Divar XF Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to control the spot monitor from the Divar XF Control Centre software?

Yes. If monitor B (spot monitor) is used for "Remote Monitor Streaming" then it can be directly controlled and viewed via the Divar XF Control Center. Monitor settings like Alarm call up and Sequence list can be configured remotely via the Divar XF Configuration Tool. If not used for 'Remote Monitor Streaming' then only monitor B can be configured via the Configuration Tool.

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How does the monitor streaming function work in the Divar XF?

The principle of monitor streaming is to connect one or two monitor outputs (CVBS) to one or more of the video inputs to allow multiple camera signals to be viewed via one network stream (saving network bandwidth and CPU performance). Please refer to the Installation Manual for detailed instructions on how to connect and configure remote monitor streaming.

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How does one get an update for the Control Center for the Divar XF?

The Control Center is free of charge and the latest versions can be downloaded via our online catalogs. Please check the local Bosch Security website for more information.

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Is it possible to upgrade the Divar XF firmware via the network?

It is not currently possible to upgrade directly via a network.

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Does new firmware overwrite existing settings and passwords?

In most cases, no settings are lost after a firmware upgrade. If for some reason it is needed to reset the settings during a firmware upgrade, a prompt will be given to confirm this before the upgrade is executed.

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Is video deleted when upgrading from v1.x to v2.x firmware?

The recording scheme used in firmware v1.x can handle up to 16 cameras. If the unit is updated to v2.x and no IP cameras are added, video is not deleted. If the unit is upgraded from v1.x to v2.x and a 4 or 8 channel IP recording license is activated the stored video must be deleted.

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Does the Divar XF Control Center support remote archiving/export/backup?

Yes, this is possible. Large video clips will be split up into files of 2 GB each.

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How can an archived file be played back?

On a PC using the supplied Divar XF Archive Player.

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How many Divar XF recorders can be connected to one Divar XF Control Center?

There is no limit to how many Divar XF units can be connected to one Divar XF Control Center. However, only 16 channels can be viewed simultaneously.

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How many Divar XF Control Centers can connect to one Divar XF unit?

Up to 5 (five) Divar XF Control Centers can connect to a single Divar XF unit.

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Can an archived file be played on the DVR unit?

No, but it is possible to play the files on the Divar XF Control Center or Divar XF Archive Player.

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Can Divar XF generate an alarm on power failure?

Yes, the malfunction relays will be activated upon a power failure.

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Is it possible to daisy-chain Divar XFs via the RS485 output?

This is not possible at this time

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How long is the warranty on the hard disk in the Divar XF?

Bosch offers a 3 year warranty on the complete product.

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What is the file format and size of the Divar XF Control Center snapshot?

BMP in D1 (720-*576).

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What is the export file format for Divar XF?

Native file format to be played with Divar XF Archive player only.

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Which DVD media does the Divar XF internal DVD writer support?

Divar XF only supports DVD+R and DVD+RW. DVD-R, DVD-RW and dual layer discs are not supported

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Is it possible to export large clips onto multiple DVDs (e.g. span discs)?

Yes, is possible only on units equipped with an internal DVD writer. External (USB) drives are not supported.

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Can you upgrade a Divar XF version 1.0 unit with a DVD writer?

No, not at this time, but XF version 1.0 units support video downloads to a USB memory device or remote export via the Control Center software.

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How many IP channels can Divar XF support?

Divar XF v2.0 supports up to 8 Bosch H.264 IP channels.

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Which IP devices can Divar XF support?

Divar XF v2.0 supports Dinion IP, FlexiDome IP, AutoDome Easy IP, AutoDome Modular IP cameras, and VIP-X1600 Series encoders running BVIP F/W version 3.7 or newer.

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What frame rates does Divar XF support on the IP inputs?

Divar XF v2.0 supports frame rates up to 30 IPS at all supported resolutions.

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What resolutions (image sizes) does Divar XF support on the IP inputs?

Divar XF v2.0 supports resolutions up to 4CIF (704x576/480) on the AutoDome Easy IP, all other devices support resolutions up to 2CIF (704x288/240).

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How are the H.264 devices configured to work with Divar XF?

The IP address, motion detection parameters, and I/O settings must be configured directly in the IP device, via the Configuration Manager utility or through the web browser. All other device settings are managed through the Divar XF.

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Can IP cameras be operated the same way as an analog camera?

Yes, IP cameras are operated (camera call-up, control, playback, etc.) the same way as a connected analog camera, however IP camera streams cannot be displayed on the spot monitor (MON B).

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Is it possible to add IP device support to a Divar XF v1.x unit?

Yes, existing Divar XF v1.x units can be updated with IP device support by purchasing a 4 or 8 Channel IP Camera license and upgrading to firmware v2.0.

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Is it possible to add RAID to a Divar XF v1.x unit?

Yes, existing Divar XF v1.x units can be updated with onboard RAID protection by purchasing a RAID license and upgrading to firmware v2.0.

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How many hard drives are required to enable Divar XF v2.0 RAID-4 feature?

A minimum of 4 hard drives are required to active Divar XF’s RAID feature.

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How is storage capacity affected when the RAID-4 feature is enabled?

Total storage capacity of the Divar XF is the capacity of the smallest disk in the RAID set multiplied by 3. For example a Divar XF with four 1TB drives would have a total raw capacity of 4TBs, and 3TBs in a RAID-4 configuration (e.g. 1TB x 3).

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Is any recorded information lost when a hard drive fails?

No, RAID-4 offers the same level of protection as RAID-5. If a single drive fails, recording continues uninterrupted, viewing of video is still possible, and an alarm is generated. The RAID set will rebuild automatically once the defective drive has been replaced.

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What happens if more than one hard drive fails?

All recordings are lost, recording stops, and an alarm is generated. A new RAID set will be built once the defective disks are replaced.

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How long does it take to rebuild the RAID set after the replacement of a defective hard drive?

The rebuild process varies based on the size of the drive, but it can take up to 24 hours. Normal operation of the Divar XF (e.g. viewing, recording, playback, etc.) is not impacted by the rebuild process.

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Since RAID-4 writes all parity data to a single disk isn’t the parity drive used more frequently than the other drives in the RAID set and therefore likely to wear out faster?

No. Let’s assume a RAID set consisting of four drives. Drives 1, 2, and 3 are used to store data and Drive 4 (the parity drive) is dedicated to storing parity information. In traditional RAID-4 operations a block of data is generated and parity is calculated. The data is the written to Drive 1 and parity information is written to Drive 4 (the parity drive). A second block of data is generated and written to Drive 2 and parity data is simultaneously written to Drive 4 (the parity drive), and so on. In this scenario the parity drive is "exercised" every time data is written, so in this example it is used 3x as much as the data drives. In theory, the parity drive would also wear out 3x faster.

In contrast, the Bosch RAID-4 implementation breaks the data (video/audio streams) into packets and buffers these packets in cache, parity is calculated, and then the data and parity information is simultaneously written to all hard drives. Data packets are written to Drives 1, 2 and 3, while parity information is written to Drive 4. This is essentially the same as the "stripe at a time" technology used in some high-availability storage arrays. In this scenario all drives are "exercised" equally just as in a RAID-5 stripe set.

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What is “sequential writing”?

Sequential writing is a technique for writing data and parity information to disks in a RAID set. Much like an LP record playing on a phonograph, all information is written to each of the drives starting with sector 1 then in sequential order up to the last sector on the hard drive at which point the system starts back at the beginning (e.g. sector 1). The only time the drive head has to deviate from its sequential course is when read data requested (e.g. during playback). Since 90% of DVR data operations are writes, this is not very often. With Bosch's RAID-4 solution, the number and amount of drive head movements is drastically reduced which significantly improves drive reliability and longevity. Therefore this solution is perfect for a video application where data is constantly being written to the hard drive media.

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Can one Intuikey keyboard be used to control both a Divar XF and a Divar MR unit?

No, this is not possible.

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Can a third-party dome that is connected to the Divar XF be controlled via the Intuikey keyboard?

Yes.

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Can multiple Divar XF units be looped through and controlled via one Intuikey keyboard?

Yes, it is possible to control up to 16 Divar XF units from a single Bosch IntuiKey keyboard when using firmware v2.x.

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Can one Intuikey keyboard be used to control both a Divar XF and a Divar Series 1 or 2 unit?

Yes, it is possible to control up to a maximum combination of 30 System4 multiplexers/Divar Series 1, 2 and XF DVRs, and (1) video switcher when using firmware v2.x.

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Does Divar XF support Bosch Video Manager (LTC 2605)?

Yes, the Video Manager is supported when using firmware v2.x

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Does Divar XF support the LTC 2604 Keyboard Port Expander?

No, this is not possible at this time.

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Which firmware version of the Intuikey keyboard must be used with Divar XF?

Version 1.92 or higher.

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Which hard disks are used with the Divar XF?

Divar XF uses high quality SATA drives that are especially designed and selected for 24/7 video recording.

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Can any hard disk be installed in a Divar XF?

Only hard disks purchased from Bosch will work in Divar XF. A third-party drive will not work.

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Is a case included with the hard disk for the Divar XF upgrade?

No, the cases (drawers) are included with the DVR. An extra hard disc can be installed by removing an empty drawer from the DVR, mounting the hard disc in the drawer, and re-inserting the drawer in the DVR.

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The recorder is switched off, even though the power cord is connected.

Unplug the power cord, wait at least 30 seconds, then re-connect the power cord.

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The recorder does not start up anymore after installing a hard disk.

Unplug the power cord. Make sure the hard disks and front panel are connected and installed correctly. Re-connect the power cord after waiting at least 30 seconds.

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The unit does not seem to respond when pressing the camera selection keys.

Make sure the correct monitor is selected. Use the "Monitor" key to toggle between MON A and MON B.

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PTZ does not work.

Make sure the hardware is connected correctly and that the correct port number is configured in the camera (Cam 1 = Port 1, etc.).

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Remote viewing is not smooth and/or audio deviates.

Make sure the PC meets the recommended PC requirements and that sufficient network bandwidth is available.

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How is the administrator password reset in case it is lost?

Please contact Bosch Technical Support.

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Can an archived/exported file be played from the DIVAR XF on the Divar MR and vice versa?

No, this is not possible.

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My logfile is staying open while powered off and closed at power on. What does that mean?

It means that the front panel was removed while the unit was powered on (operational) or powered off.

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Divar XF Frequently Asked Questions