Release Notes for MOBOTIX MxEasy

Document Information

Publisher:

MOBOTIX AG

Author:

Dietmar Finkler
Bernd Wilhelm
Thilo Schüller

Date:

2013-04-11

Document:

release-notes_en.html

Confidentiality:

public


Contents

These Release Notes contain a short technical description of the most important changes of MOBOTIX MxEasy.

Software Releases—Overview:

Release Version

Creation Date

Publishing Date

MxEasy 1.6 (Release) for Windows and Mac OS X

2013-04-10

2013-04-11

MxEasy 1.5.1 (Release) for Windows and Mac OS X

2012-03-07

2012-03-08

MxEasy 1.4.1 (Release) for Linux

2011-11-17

2011-11-21

MxEasy 1.4.1 (Release) for Windows and Mac OS X

2011-07-08

2011-07-15

MxEasy 1.3.2 (Release) for Linux

2011-01-11

2011-01-27

MxEasy 1.3.2 (Release) for Windows and Mac OS X

2010-11-18

2010-11-19

MxEasy 1.3.1 (Release)

2010-09-10

2010-09-22

MxEasy 1.3.0 (Release)

2010-07-20

2010-07-22

MxEasy 1.1.0 (Release)

2009-12-11

2009-12-11

MxEasy 1.0.4 (Release)

2009-03-20

2009-03-23

MxEasy 1.0.3 (Release)

2009-03-06

2009-03-06

Notes

System Requirements

Windows

Mac OS X

Linux

(Only available up to version 1.4.1)

Installation of Language Packages

For MxEasy 1.4 and higher, MOBOTIX offers additional language packages. These files are named MxEasy_LanguagePack_*_<language[_country]>.exe/zip, where "<language[_country]>" is replaced by the corresponding language and, if required, the country code (for Italian, this would be MxEasy_LanguagePack_*_it.exe/zip, for Chinese (China) MxEasy_LanguagePack_*_zh_CN.exe/zip). The EXE files are automatic setup files for Windows computers, the ZIP files are intented for Mac OS X computers. Please make sure that the version number of the language package matches the installed version (e.g. "1.6").

Automatic Installation of Language Packages on Windows Machines

The setup file copies the language files into the Languages subfolder and the file for the print templates (PrintTemplates_<language[_country]>.ts) into the templates subfolder of the MxEasy program folder.

Upon the next launch of MxEasy, the application will start in the language you just installed. If you would like to select a different language, open Tools > Settings > General and select the desired language. After restarting MxEasy, the application will come up in the selected language.

Automatically Uninstalling Language Packages on Windows Machines

To uninstall a language package, open Add/Remove Programs or Uninstall a program in the computer's Control Panel. Click on the MxEasy Language Package you would like to uninstall and follow the instructions. Upon the next launch of MxEasy, the application opens the language of the system locale. It the corresponding language package cannot be found, the application falls back to English.

Installation of Language Packages on Mac OS X Machines

Installation of Language Packages on Linux Machines

(Only available up to version 1.4.1)


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Version 1.6 (Release) of MxEasy for Windows and Mac OS X

Creation Date: 2012-07-18

Publishing Date: 2012-08-20

Enhancements and Improvements

Special Integration of the New S14 Models

With the introduction of the S14D, the Hemispheric technology is available in a dual camera for the first time. This means that both sensor modules can use all Hemispheric display modes that up until now had only been available in the Q24M. MxEasy now supports these display modes. For this purpose, the following enhancements have been implemented:

Integration of "MxAnalytics" Video Analysis for Q24M Models

The new image analysis tool MxAnalytics (camera software release 4.1.4.11 and higher) allows detecting moving objects in the image and to use this data for different types of reports. For example, you can display the distribution of objects in a heatmap or use custom counting lines, which count objects in the image that are crossing the lines. The data generated by the image analysis are stored on the camera's internal SD card and can be used in the different reports later on. This version of now supports the configuration of MxAnalytics on a Q24 camera as well as the subsequent reporting that is based on the generated and stored data. For this purpose, the following enhancements have been implemented:

Other Improvements

Bugfixes

Known Limitations


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Version 1.5.1 (Release) of MxEasy for Windows and Mac OS X

Creation Date: 2012-03-07

Publishing Date: 2012-03-08

Enhancements and Improvements

For more information on the enhancements and features described in the following, see the MxEasy User Manual V1.5. The translations of this manual into English and other languages will be available within the next couple of weeks.

Improved Support of Dual Camera Models

The integration of Dual camera models has been greatly improved. You can now use these additional functions:

Special Integration of D14Di-180° Models

In order to support the D14Di-180° camera models, MxEasy now basically treats D14Di-180° cameras like 6 megapixel mono cameras.

Note: In order to be able to use the functions described above, the camera needs to run software release 4.1.1.20 or higher.

Enhanced Support of T24 Models in MOBOTIX IP Video Door Stations

In order to integrate the new MOBOTIX IP Video Door Stations with T24 camera models, the following enhancements have been applied:

Other Improvements

Bugfixes

Known Limitations

Platform-Specific Notes

Linux

A Linux release of MxEasy 1.5.1 will not be available.


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Version 1.4.1 (Release) of MxEasy for Linux

Creation Date: 2011-11-17

Publishing Date: 2011-11-21

Note: Please read the release notes for Version 1.4.1 of MxEasy for Windows and Mac OS X, which also apply to version 1.4.1 of MxEasy for Linux.

Platform-Specific Notes

Linux

Supported Linux distributions (32 and 64 bit computers)


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Version 1.4.1 (Release) of MxEasy for Windows and Mac OS X

Creation Date: 2011-07-08

Publishing Date: 2011-07-15

Enhancements and Improvements

Improved Support of Different Network Environments

Control Mode

In order to prevent accidental misconfigurations, Release 1.4 of MxEasy introduces the concept of a control mode. For example, if you would like to prevent that the recording type is accidentally changed on a camera that is accessed via the Internet (although you would have the administration right to do so), you can explicitly set this camera to Image Mode. You can adjust the control mode in the Properties dialog for each camera and for every environment.

Optimized Virtual PTZ for Hemispheric Cameras

The virtual PTZ functions have been optimized to provide full support of Hemispheric cameras in Panorama display mode that are mounted to a wall. This additional display mode is also available for non-hemispheric cameras and provides a quick look around, among other advantages.

Regardless of these settings, you can continue to change the displayed image section using the mouse (click and drag to pan/tilt), the mouse wheel (zoom actions), the keyboard or a joystick. MxEasy will let you know which actions it is currently performing (application or virtual camera PTZ actions) by displaying the corresponding on-screen icons.

Improved On-Screen Handling of Event Search in the Player

The event histogram in Player mode that had been introduced in release 1.3 has been further improved in release 1.4. A toolbar provides these additional functions:

Advanced Video Search in the "Recordings Browser"

The brand-new Recordings Browser (File > Browse Recordings in the menu) provides an intuitive and efficient method for searching specific events in a multi-camera system, even if the search spans longer periods of time.

The user interface of the Recordings Browser dialog has been divided into the following sections:

Right-clicking on the selected preview image opens a context menu, which offers additional commands, e.g. for exporting the recording.

Note:
To provide for rapid execution of the stored searches, the events of all of the individual cameras are stored in a so-called "Event Cache". It is stored permanently on the computer so that it is again available after the application restarts. Filling the event cache will take longer, the more new events have occurred since the cache was last updated (e.g. between application restarts). In particular, the very first time the MxEasy is started, it will take considerable time to completely fill the cache. Note that updating the cache can affect the frame rate of cameras of the M12/D12/M22/D22/Q22 series, in particular. A currently running cache update is visualized as activity in the right corner of the bottom status bar, to the left of the MOBOTIX icon.

Other Improvements

Bugfixes

Known Limitations

Platform-Specific Notes

Linux

MxEasy 1.4 for Linux is currently being tested and will be published here once the testing has been completed.


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Version 1.3.2 (Release) of MxEasy for Linux

Creation Date: 2011-01-11

Publishing Date: 2011-01-27

Note: This Linux version of MxEasy exactly corresponds to the version for Windows and Mac OS X. Please read the release notes for Version 1.3.2 of MxEasy for Windows and Mac OS X, that also apply to version 1.3.2 of MxEasy for Linux.

Platform-Specific Notes

Linux

Supported Linux Distributions (32 and 64 Bit Computers)


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Version 1.3.2 (Release) of MxEasy for Windows and Mac OS X

Creation Date: 2010-11-18

Publishing Date: 2010-11-19

Note: Note that you should use T24 cameras only with camera software version 4.0.4.15 or higher.

Bugfixes

Known Limitations

Platform-Specific Notes

Linux

See Version 1.3.2 (Release) of MxEasy for Linux.


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Version 1.3.1 (Release) of MxEasy

Creation Date: 2010-09-10

Publishing Date: 2010-09-22

Note: Note that you should use T24 cameras only with camera software version 4.0.4.15 or higher.

Enhancements and Improvements

Bugfixes

Known Limitations

Platform-Specific Notes

Linux

MxEasy 1.3 for Linux is currently being tested and will be published here once the testing has been completed.

Supported Distributions

(32 and 64 bit computers)


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Version 1.3.0 (Release) of MxEasy

Creation Date: 2010-07-20

Publishing Date: 2010-07-22

Enhancements and Improvements

Freely Scalable Application Window

The size of the MxEasy application window is not fixed any more. You can resize the window to any size using the mouse. MxEasy stores the current window size when you close the application. Upon the next launch of the application, MxEasy again appears at the stored position.

Improved Configuration of Alarms and Recording

Special Functions for Supporting T24M Cameras Siedle Modules

In order to support the new T24M camera model, several new functions have been added to MxEasy. On the one hand, these new functions allow using a T24M with connected Siedle modules (e.g. bell modules) with MxEasy and Grandstream IP video phones as intercoms. On the other hand, these new functions also provide for an efficient system where MxEasy is used as the audio/video intercom for a T24M.

Playback of Recordings Using the Improved Player

The Player that is used to search for events and to play back the recordings of MOBOTIX cameras has been completely redesigned. To activate this mode, simply click on the Player Mode button.

Subsequent Video Motion Detection (Post VM)

As already mentioned in the description of the improved Player above, it now supports the subsequent video motion detection (Post VM). To use this function, activate the Subsequent Video Motion Detection button in the left section of the Player buttons. Next, use the mouse to draw one or more windows in the current display area. To search for any changes in these windows starting at the current time, click on the Previous Event button to look for earlier events and on the Next Event button to look for later events.

Configurable Recording Targets

The Camera Options dialog now contains the Recording tab, which allows selecting one of the available recording targets of MOBOTIX cameras:

CAUTION:
You can use this dialog to set the recording targets for the camera. MxEasy, on the other hand, still searches via the camera when looking through and playing back recorded events. The "Clip Player" constitutes an exception as it is started using the File > Open Clip menu entry. The Clip Player can play back MxPEG Clips or the contents of a MOBOTIX file server structure.

Other Improvements

Known Limitations

Platform-Specific Notes

Linux

MxEasy 1.3 for Linux is currently being tested and will be published here once the testing has been completed.


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Version 1.1.0 (Release) of MxEasy

Creation Date: 2009-12-11

Publishing Date: 2009-12-11

Enhancements and Improvements

First and foremost, MxEasy 1.1 features a new look when compared to its predecessor version 1.0. The application can automatically adjust to the size of the displayed camera images. In addition, this version has been improved in many ways and many bugs have been fixed. For more information on the features described below, please consult the MxEasy 1.1 User Manual, which has been installed with the software. The newest version of this manual is also available from the MOBOTIX website.

Note:
Most of the features described below require a camera software version 3.5.2.x or higher (for M12, D12, D22M, M22M, D24M, Q22M cameras) or 4.0.2.x or higher (for Q24M, D24M, M24M cameras). If cameras with older software are added to the system, MxEasy will display a message box to alert the user of this fact. In such a case, some of the features described below will not be available.

Changes to the User Interface and the Application Window

Improved MxEasy Assistant (Mounting Position and Display Mode Selection for Hemispheric Cameras)

Extended Support of PTZ and Hemispheric Features

Definition of Network Environments

Defining different network environments allows adding the same set of cameras with different IP addresses to MxEasy. Switching the environment will use a different set of camera IP addresses without having to change the IP addresses individually for each camera. When using a laptop, for example, you can create two different environments - one for the camera network on the LAN and one for accessing the same cameras remotely via the Internet using a DynDNS service. To define different network environments, click on the File > Environment > Edit Environments.

Playback and Export of Recorded Data (with Preview) for AVI, MxPEG Clips and File Server Structures

System Shutoff – Privacy Mode

The new Privacy Mode button in the upper toolbar now provides a function to "switch off" the complete camera system. Since this system does not have a physical switch, the "system shutoff" had to be implemented by a software function. Once this switch has been activated, the cameras will not allow any access to live images or recordings; even the system administrator does not have any means to access the cameras. MxEasy accomplishes this by replacing all passwords on the cameras by an admin password that is generated at runtime and by completely blocking public access. The cameras are signaling this operating mode by a special (new) blinking pattern: two specific LEDs are flashing simultaneously every three seconds. On Q24M, D24M and M24M cameras, both LEDs will flash green, even the second LED, which only blinks red otherwise!

CAUTION:
To return to the standard mode, you can either deactivate the Privacy Mode in MxEasy or you can login at the cameras from the browser interface. When activating the Privacy Mode, make sure that you are making a note of the automatically generated admin password or that you are assigning your own password.

Other Improvements

Bugfixes

Known Limitations

Platform-Specific Notes

Mac OS X

This version only runs on Mac OS X computers with Intel processor and OS X 10.4 or higher.

Linux

MxEasy version 1.1 is also available as a Linux application. Supported distributions (32 and 64 bit computers):


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Version 1.0.4 (Release) of MxEasy

Creation Date: 2009-03-20

Publishing Date: 2009-03-23

Enhancements and Improvements

Bugfixes


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Version 1.0.3 (Release) of MxEasy

Creation Date: 2009-03-06

Publishing Date: 2009-03-06

Welcome to MxEasy

This release is the first publicly available version of the new MOBOTIX MxEasy. MxEasy provides for quick setup, configuration and use of a video security system with up to 16 MOBOTIX cameras. It is thus the correct choice for all small and compact camera networks. The application finds all existing MOBOTIX cameras and automatically conducts the initial configuration of the devices. You do not need any deeper knowledge of network technology to connect and operate your MOBOTIX cameras.

The configuration of the cameras is facilitated thanks to the intuitive user interface of MxEasy. In most of the cases, it is not required to use a web browser to configure the cameras.

This version is available for Windows computers and Mac OS X systems.

System Requirements

Windows

Mac OS X

Important Notes

Known Limitations

Platform-Specific Notes

Mac OS X


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