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Manufacturer: |
MOBOTIX AG |
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Address: |
Luxemburger Str. 6 |
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Web: |
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E-Mail: |
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Product: |
MxViewer |
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Release: |
1.2.50 |
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Date: |
2006-09-07 |
Since MxViewer is enhanced on an ongoing basis, this page contains information on the changes with each of the released versions of MxViewer.
New Dialog for Extended Event Search—BETA
If a File server path has been set for a MOBOTIX camera (either in Options->General or in Options-><camera tab>), MxViewer will open the new Event Search search dialog instead of the browser-based event list. This dialog allows searching one (or more) events according to specific criteria and can play back the corresponding video sequences.
Note: This dialog is not quite finished, i.e. not all visible features are usable!
New dialog for storing the current configuration
The Save configuration button opens a dialog, which allows storing the current configuration of MxViewer at a specific location. The dialog offers three options:
Configuration only (INI file)
Configuration and resources
Complete package
(configuration, resources, MxViewer program files)
This allows
creating a complete MxViewer installation at any location on your
network.
In addition, this dialog also allows setting the
target directory as the "global folder". If MxViewer is
started in a folder without local configuration file (INI), the
configuration will be taken from the global folder.
CAUTION: To be able to store the configuration, a user needs to have Administrator privileges in MxViewer!
In order to store JPEG and MxPEG clip files, simply click on the Export to file button (to the right of the Stop button).
MxViewer with French User Interface
Depending on the current country setting in Windows, MxViewer will be launched with a an English, German or French user interface. For all other country settings, the English user interface will be used.
New camera live window and double-click behavior
The behavior of double-clicking a camera window can be changed on the General options tab: You can either switch between the two image sensors (only for MOBOTIX Dual models) or MxViewer can pop up a "Live window". A new window with a regular Windows title bar opens, which shows the live stream of the selected camera. This window can be positioned freely anywhere on the desktop.
Exporting an event time range from an external together with MxViewer Program files
When exporting (i.e. storing) a time range of events that has been stored on an external file server, the MxViewer program files will be automatically copied to the target folder. Likewise, a new configuration file (INI) will be created in the target folder, which will be loaded automatically when starting the MxViewer in the target folder, prompting MxViewer to play back the stored clips. This makes for easy creation of a CD with MxPEG clips, which can be viewed without having to install MxViewer.
Number of layouts increased to 50
The number of layouts has been increased from 20 to 50.
Currently active layout in the softbutton bar is bold
MxViewer displays the currently active layout in the softbutton bar in bold print.
Zoom factor is stored for every layout
The zoom factor can be set and stored individually for each layout (and not only globally, as was the case before). This means that the "mx2" camera window could be 640 pixels wide in Layout1, 1280 pixels in Layout2 and 320 pixels in Layout3.
Scroll bars in MxViewer and mouse-over windows
If the camera windows do not fit into MxViewer or a mouse-over window, MxViewer will display vertical and horizontal scroll bars to see the hidden parts of the camera images.
Added "relative time difference" to date/time indicator
The large date/time display in the top right corner of MxViewer shows the relative time to the first image when playing back clips of when in Loop mode.
Icon for closing icon alarm windows
The windows that are popping up from the camera icons of a background layout can now be closed using the small X icon in the title bar of these windows.
Layout editor Grid mode: single VGA window definable
In the Grid mode of the Layout editor, an additional "grid" is available, which consists of one VGA-size window (mx26).
Number of pre- and post-alarm images visible in the Player limited to 10
When playing back events recorded in Snapshot mode, the Player could only show a maximum of 10 pre-alarm and 10 post-alarm images. This number has been increased to 20 pre- and post-alarm images.
Several smaller bugfixes
New Dialog for Extended Event Search
If a File server path has been set for a MOBOTIX camera (either in Options->General or in Options-><camera tab>), MxViewer will open the new Event Search search dialog instead of the browser-based event list. This dialog allows searching one (or more) events according to specific criteria and can play back the corresponding video sequences.
In order to find a more concise name for this MOBOTIX client application, MxPEG Viewer has been renamed to MxViewer.
New Launch Dialog for Automatic or Manual Camera Search
If no Start Layout has been set on the current computer, MxViewer will show the new MxViewer Video Sources dialog. This dialog allows automatically searching for MOBOTIX cameras and also manually selecting cameras and stored MxPEG video clips. Moreover, MxViewer can automatically generate a default layout using the defined video sources.
New Dialog Scan Network for MOBOTIX Cameras
MxViewer can now search the networks of this computer for MOBOTIX cameras and will create a list of the discovered cameras. After scanning, you can click on the cameras, check the images in the preview window and edit the list to your liking. Once you have accepted the list, MxViewer can automatically generate a default layout with all highlighted cameras.
This new dialog for opening video sources allows entering IP addresses or DNS names of MOBOTIX cameras and also allows selecting MxPEG video clip files. These video sources are then added to the existing list of video sources of this MxViewer installation. This list can also be filled by adding the path of a file server, which is used by the MOBOTIX cameras as an external ring buffer storage. This dialog also allows starting the automatic scan for MOBOTIX cameras to find new cameras.
"Watchdog" Feature
MxViewer now has an integrated "watchdog" feature, which will restart MxViewer automatically if it has ceased operating for unknown reasons.
Language DLLs
MxViewer is not released in the form of several translated executables any more. MxViewer will now search the application folder for a language DLL that corresponds to the operating system language. If it does not find such a DLL, MxViewer launches the English (default) user interface.
Automatically Playing Back Stored Alarms in a Player Window
Each layout can now take one Player window. If such a window has been defined and the user clicks on an event in the alarm list, MxViewer automatically displays the stored alarms of the corresponding camera. All other windows (especially the live windows) will continue operating as before.
Extended Layout Editor
The Layout Editor has been extended by the Camera List, which contains all cameras that are present in one of the layouts. If you would like to update the list, simply open the Open Video Sources dialog and scan the network for new cameras, for example.
Demo Mode for Presentations
If Options->Demo mode has been activated and the user does not move the mouse, MxViewer will move the mouse by itself and will stop at each camera window of the layout. If the Mouse-Over option has been activated, the corresponding image will be enlarged accordingly.
Camera Settings Stored with IP Address and Port
MxViewer now uses the camera's IP address and its port number to store the camera's settings. This approach allows configuring several cameras, which are situated behind a router, and thus have only one IP address as seen from the outside.
Cameras Displayed as Icons
In order to avoid a crowded impression in background mode, you can show individual video sources as icons (right-click->Icon) while MxViewer continues to monitor the camera's live stream. If you hold the mouse pointer over such an icon (mouse-over) or an event occurs, MxViewer will automatically revert to the previous size.
Name of the Highlighted Camera is Displayed in MxViewer Title Bar
The title bar of MxViewer will now display the name or the IP address of the selected video source (yellow frame) in the layout.
Standard IP Notify Network Message
A new protocol has been established between the cameras and MxViewer: the Standard IP Network message (Standard IPN). The camera only needs to know the IP address of the computer, which is running MxViewer. Upon an event, the camera will send a message to MxViewer, prompting it to acquire the corresponding event image from the camera and to display this image in its alarm list. MxViewer does not need to monitor the full live stream to detect events. Additionally, you may prompt the user to acknowledge this alarm within the specified duration. Failing to do so will prompt the camera to send the message to another computer running MxViewer.
Displaying Other Manufacturer's Cameras
The decoder of MxViewer can now display the cameras of other manufacturers. Simply enter the corresponding camera as a video source, e.g. "http://<IP address>/axis-cgi/mjpg/video.cgi".
Saving a Section of a Video as Clip or JPEG Sequence
Live video recordings and clip files defined as video sources do not have to be stored as full video clip or JPEG sequence any more. In Local Recorder mode, the slider's context menu allows setting the start and end points of the video clip. MxViewer shows the selected range in gray and will store this section only when clicking on Save to disk->MxPEG Clip or Sequence of JPEGs.
Date/Time of Current Camera Window Displayed in Tool Bar
The date and time of the selected camera (yellow frame) are displayed at the right border of the tool bar, provided that enough space is available (you may have to enlarge the application window's width to see this button). If the video source is a live camera and its time differs by more than ten seconds from the time of the computer, MxViewer will show the date/time information in red.
Return to Start Layout
MxViewer can automatically return from any other layout to the Start Layout, if no mouse action has been detected for the specified duration (Options->Return to Start Layout after).
Dynamic Buttons of the Camera Player Mode Directly in the Image
When viewing a camera in Player mode, you may either use the |<, <<, etc. Player buttons from the toolbar to navigate between the stored events or the dynamic mouse buttons that are displayed when moving the mouse over the active zone at the bottom of the image. If the mouse enters the active zone at the bottom of a camera window in Player mode, the Player buttons from the toolbar will be displayed dynamically, depending on the mouse position. Clicking will execute the action of the currently displayed button.
The feature is available for regular
camera windows in Layout mode and in mouse-over windows. Make sure
to deactivate the Small area option,
since the mouse-over window will be closed before the mouse pointer
reaches the active zone at the bottom of the image otherwise.
Configuration can Only be Changed by MxViewer Administrators
A user logged in as user
of MxViewer cannot save the configuration when exiting MxViewer.
Administration users (admin) of MxViewer
will be given a choice where to save the configuration (locally or
globally) when exiting MxViewer.
Selection Dialog for Storing the Configuration for MxViewer Administrators
Administrators can select where to store the configuration—locally (working directory of MxViewer) or globally (if defined and activated).
Improved "Global Folder" Handling
MxViewer will not enforce setting a global folder when starting; this folder can be set separately (and activated) later in the Options dialog.
Unless a global folder has been set, MxViewer will ask you to do so every time when starting; this dialog may be switched off using the Do not show this message again option at the bottom.
The Options dialog now displays the location of the current configuration at the bottom: Windows registry, local or global folder (folders with path).
File Checks in the Options Dialog
MxViewer will test if the files or folders actually exist that have been specified in the corresponding text fields of the Options dialog.
Saving MxPEG Clips From Cameras in Player Mode
It is now possible to save an MxPEG
clip file (.mxg) of a camera window in
Player mode by clicking on the Save to disk button of
MxViewer. To be able to do so, the camera has to run in MxPEG mode.
Irritating Mouse Pointer Icons in Layout Editor Have Been Removed
In Layout Editor mode, the form of the mouse pointer will only be changed to signal states that are specific to the Layout Editor itself.
Same Title Bar in Layout Mode and Mouse-Over Images
The title bars in both image windows now have the same buttons with the same functionality.
Clicking on Title Bar Buttons Will Show an Error if Files are Missing
If an Instruction file or a Reference image are not available or cannot be accessed for any reason, MxViewer will issue an error message if an icon on the title bar is clicked (in Layout mode or in the mouse-over image).
Information on Space Requirements When Storing Video Clips or Images
When saving video clips or images, the format selection dialog will display the estimated storage space this will clip or file will require.
camnotify Will Switch MxViewer Even With Deactivated Alarm List
If a camera sends the camnotify command that prompts MxViewer to get the images of one or more cameras and display them in the alarm list, this command will fill the alarm list even though it has been deactivated.
Problems When Accessing Cameras With Guest Access
When accessing cameras (mostly not on the local network) with guest access using slow network connections, MxViewer had problems connecting to the cameras.
Crashes Receiving Many camnotify Actions
MxViewer crashed when receiving many camnotify remote control commands from cameras.
Preemptive Password Requests
If a user had been using MxViewer in guest mode, and moved the mouse over the title bar of a live stream in Layout mode, the Password dialog popped up.
Saving an Image From the Alarm List
When tying to Save (context menu) an image from the alarm list of the selected camera (yellow frame), MxViewer saved the current live image of the selected camera instead.
Error Saving a JPEG Snapshot
When playing back an MxPEG clip stored by a camera, Save to disk->JPEG Snapshot always saved the last image of the clip and not the currently displayed image.
Wrong Tab Order in the Password Dialog
The order of the fields in the Password dialog when pressing the Tab key did not match the logical order.
Help Question Mark (?) Next to About
The question mark ? next to About did not disappear when hiding the controls of MxViewer.
Wrong text of the bubble help (tool tip) has been corrected.
Global Configuration (Default Folder)
When closing, MxViewer can store the
current configuration settings and all files specified in the
layouts in one Default Folder. A folder stored in this manner can be
set as Global Default Folder in the Windows Registry. This
folder provides the same settings and Layout definitions to all
users running MxViewer on the same computer. Changed configuration
settings of MxViewer can only be saved in the global default
folder if the user has Admin access rights for MxViewer.
Depending on where the MXPEG_Viewer.ini
file is located when starting MxViewer, the settings will be loaded
from the global default folder or from the current location
of MxViewer when starting, or —if this does not exist—from
the Windows Registry.
Updated Options Dialog
All Registers of the Options dialog have been completely restructured and updated. Options that have become superfluous have been removed.
Freely Definable Sounds
When MxViewer detects camera alarms,
missing cameras or application errors, it can play back specific
sound files (*.wav) from the computer.
Hiding / Showing Controls
All camera controls of MxViewer are hidden when starting the application for the first time, but can be displayed again using the corresponding option in the context menu or in the Options dialog.
New Softbutton Functions
MxViewer has its own softbutton bar that can be used to switch between the defined layouts. When activating a camera (yellow frame), you can also copy the camera's softbuttons to its own softbutton bar. The context menu also provides an option for hiding the softbutton bar.
New User Access Level
Users may work with MxViewer, but they cannot open the Options dialog and manipulate its options and parameters.
Camera Settings are Stored in the Layout
The settings of all cameras (image resolution, quality, etc.) are stored together with the information of the corresponding layout. If differences are detected, MxViewer offers to reset all cameras to the stored settings of the layout.
Pause Mode When Minimizing MxViewer
MxViewer can be set to pause all defined video streams when minimizing the application. MxViewer automatically resumes showing the streams again once it is brought up again. Pausing will not require starting the live cameras again, which requires at least user-level access rights.
Updated Online Help
Version 1.0 Beta features an updated online help, which currently is not yet context-sensitive.
Offline Mode for Cameras
Activated cameras (yellow frame) can be switched Offline and Online using the Live button to help reduce network load, especially when viewing many cameras at once.
Setting the Camera Default Start Mode
You can set a default start mode for all cameras defined in a layout: Live or Player.
Command For Setting Resolution and Frame Rate for all Cameras
The context menu allows setting the image resolution and image quality with one command for all live cameras displayed by MxViewer.
Camera-Specific Instruction File
The camera options allow setting any information file that can be displayed using the buttons of the title bar of the camera windows. This file may display floor plans or information on emergency procedures.
Setting Preferred Layouts for Alarm Cameras
The camera options allow setting a so-called Preferred/alarm layout. The preferred/alarm layout of a camera will be displayed automatically if this camera sends an IP Notify (network) message. It may also be activated manually using the corresponding button in the title bar of the camera window.
Definition of Camera-Specific Reference Images
You may save the current image of the camera as so-called "reference image". Using the corresponding icon on the title bar of the camera window, you may compare the camera image to the stored reference image.
Enhanced Title Bar of the Camera Windows
The title bar of the camera windows contains additional buttons for activating the camera instruction file, to view the stored reference image and to activate the preferred layout for this camera.
Automatic Alarms for Missing Cameras
MxViewer monitors the connection to all displayed live cameras at regular intervals. If the connection to a camera fails, an alarm sound may be played back and an error message is always displayed in the camera image.
Filtering Feature for Alarm List
The Filter button on the Alarm List allows showing only the images of the selected camera (yellow frame). This feature has two different settings:
The filter remains active even if alarms from other cameras are added to the alarm list.
The filter will be deactivated automatically if alarms from other cameras are added to the alarm list.
Alarm Cameras Automatically Activate Preferred Layouts Using Network Messages
If MxViewer receives a network message (IP Notify) from one of the displayed cameras, MxViewer will automatically switch to the camera's preferred layout, if a preferred layout has been set. This will happen for the first time a preferred layout is called after starting MxViewer or if the application has been minimized. If MxViewer is not minimized, a preferred layout is active and another network message triggers another preferred layout, MxViewer will ask before switching to the new layout.
Alarm Windows in Layouts
Any window in one of the layouts can be set to act as an alarm window. An alarm window will always show the newest alarm image, even if the alarm list is not visible at the moment. The alarm window also allows acknowledging alarms.
Automatic Alarm Acknowledgement
Instead of acknowledging all camera alarms at once, the administrator may now set a time after which all alarms will be acknowledged automatically.
Entering http://...
as IP Address
The IP Address input field will now
also take addresses beginning with http://....
Example: http://10.1.10.111
Only First Alarm Shown
Sometimes, only the first alarm of a camera was shown in the alarm list, the following alarms were suppressed.
Events Every Minute When Recording Continuously
MOBOTIX cameras with software version >= 2.2.0.x recording MxPEG streams in continuous mode triggered an alarm every minute, even though the camera did not trigger an alarm.
No Sound When Receiving Camera Network Messages
If a camera was displayed in MxViewer and another camera was sending a network message, this camera's alarm image was stored in the alarm list, but MxViewer did not play a sound.
Added the Layout Editor, which allows defining MultiView layouts with numerous possibilities for arranging the camera images.
Added Background Images, which allows to easily set up building plans or the like with the camera images.
Storing a snapshot image of the selected camera (yellow frame) in the alarm list is now possible using the corresponding button.
Added the Remote Control tab for actions of MxViewer that are triggered by cameras sending specific network commands.
Alarms in the alarm list can be acknowledged by clicking on the corresponding alarm.
Number of individual layouts increased from four to ten.
MxViewer can now save encrypted passwords.
Double-clicking a camera in the live image will now switch from one lens to the other, if possible.
The last events in a mouse-over image can be displayed by clicking again into the mouse-over image and moving the mouse over the title bar of the image.
Stored events can be displayed not only from the camera, but also from the file server, if it has been specified.