|
Publisher: |
|
|---|---|
|
Author: |
Bernd Wilhelm |
|
Date: |
2008-07-10 |
|
Document: |
release-notes_en.html |
|
Confidentiality: |
public |
These Release Notes contain a short technical description of the most important changes of the MOBOTIX MxControlCenter.
|
Release Version |
Release Date |
Publishing Date |
|
2008-07-08 |
2008-07-10 |
|
|
2007-12-20 |
2007-12-21 |
|
|
2007-09-14 |
2007-09-18 |
|
|
2007-05-03 |
2007-05-03 |
|
|
2007-01-18 |
2007-01-18 |
|
|
2006-09-08 |
2006-09-11 |
|
|
2006-09-08 |
2006-09-08 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MxViewer*.ini configuration can be loaded, edited and saved in MxControlCenter. The basic functionality and the user interface have not changed a lot from MxViewer.Creation Date: 2008-07-08
Publishing Date: 2008-07-10
This new dialog offers flexible options for printing single camera images from the main window or the video search dialog. To open this dialog, right-click into the main window and select Print... from the context menu or click on the Print current and post-processed image button in the Video Search dialog. You can change the following settings (among others):
Direct video search on Flash devices (SD cards, USB devices) without camera.
A Flash device (SD card, USB stick, USB harddisk) on which a MOBOTIX camera has recorded using the MxFFS file system, can be attached directly to a computer for examination and in-depth video search. To do so, simply insert the SD card into a card reader or attach the USB device to the computer running MxCC. Next, add the logical drive of the USB device or SD card as a File Server Path in MxCC.
CAUTION:
Search time preselection in Video Search
When closing the Video Search dialog, MxCC stores the last position played back for each camera. Upon reopening the Video Search dialog, MxCC automatically tries to load the stored positions.
Time-synchronized playback with additional overload option
When playing back recorded video data for several cameras in synchronized fashion, you may experience problems (i.e. choppy movements, lost images) when handling many cameras at once. The number of cameras that can be handled for time-synchronized playback greatly depends on the file server and the computer running MxCC; determining an exact figure is nearly impossible. If the number of cameras that can be handled is too low for a specific application, the time-synchronized playback can be instructed to manage the cameras in a different manner, which significantly enhances the number of cameras that show smooth live video. If MxCC detects delays when receiving or displaying the files from the cameras, it reduces the playback speed dynamically to ensure that the video sequences are played back smoothly. To do so, activate the new Reduce on overload option in the Synchronous Player dialog.
CAUTION:
Note that when using his option, MxCC cannot play back the events in real time any more and time synchronization between the different cameras may not be 100 percent exact.
Current time of the slider below the event list
When moving the slider control below the event list, MxCC displays the time/date information of the current slider position. This feature provides for better positioning of the slider control.
Once a MOBOTIX camera has been added to MxCC, you can immediately use the virtual Pan/Tilt/Zoom features of the camera if a MEGATRON joystick is attached to the computer.
Joystick navigation
Turning the joystick controls the zoom, moving the joystick to the right/left pans the camera accordingly and moving the joystick forward/backward tilts the camera down or up. These features are especially interesting when using a new Q22M model with hemispherical 180° lens and integrated distortion correction.
Setting and loading preset positions:
Similar to mechanical pan/tilt heads, you can activate the Rotor option, the Set button and the selection box to set and load individual "presets", i.e. virtual (digital) PTZ positions (pan/tilt position and zoom level). When using a MEGATRON joystick, you can also use the function keys on the joystick housing to set and load preset positions: Pressing a function key for at least 2 seconds will set a preset, briefly pressing the key will load the corresponding preset.
Function buttons for Q22M:
When using the new Q22M with hemispherical lens and 360° surround view, pressing one of the two function keys on the joystick itself will execute these operations: The left key rotates the camera by 180° (like looking back over your shoulder), the right key cycles through the different display modes of the Q22M, Normal (corrected image), Full Image (uncorrected image of the full image sensor), Surround (image from four virtual cameras that cover the entire room).
Export path stored in Video Search
When again loading the Export dialog, it will reopen the directory that had been selected when last closing the dialog. This path will remain stored when restarting MxCC, provided you saved the configuration file (MxCC.ini) when closing the application.
Easier saving of layouts
When saving a layout, a new dialog prompts the user to save the layout and the changed MxCC configuration in either the current or a different configuration file. Consequently, the application will not prompt the user any more to save the changes when closing the Layout Editor or the application (provided no other parameters have been changed in the meantime).
Improved reconfiguring of cameras via Bonjour
This dialog allowed entering IP addresses, which ended in '.000'; this is not possible any more.
Playing back MxPEG clips with up to 1 GB size
When playing back MxPEG clips, MxCC played back clips up to a maximum of 128 GB. This limit has been increased to 1 GB.
Saving and printing single images of an MxPEG video clip
It is now possible to print single images of MxPEG clips or to store them as .jpg or .bmp file.
Improved Player stability when encountering missing files
When playing back recording in Snapshot mode (pre-alarm, alarm, and post-alarm images), the MxCC player could hang if files in the folder were missing, e.g. because the camera was not able to store all pre- and post-alarm images due to overload. This problem has been solved as MxCC only plays back the files that are actually there.
MxCC can play back contents of exported .tar archives
MxCC now allows using the uncompressed contents of tar files that have been exported from a camera by adding these contents as a File server path. This means that you can play back the contents of such a file and also use the full Video Search features in MxCC.
Loading file server paths now also works using UNC paths
Up until now, file server paths required a logical drive name. You can now also use UNC paths for this purpose. This allows using paths like '\\Server1\MX-Data\10_xx_yy_zz' besides 'z:\10_xx_yy_zz'.
Sequential Live display mode for limited bandwidths
This display mode has been added especially for situations in which only limited bandwidth is available for retrieving the camera images. Once the Sequential mode check box has been activated in Options > General, MxCC will do the following:
It will not try to get all live streams from the cameras of the current layout at once, but will try to get the pictures in sequential mode, i.e. one image of camera A, one image of camera B, etc. Once an image has been obtained, MxCC waits for the specified Update time before it tries to get the image from the next camera: If this parameter has been set to 0, MxCC tries to get the images as fast as possible and waits for the selected time otherwise.
Layout Editor, background mode: Crash after changing window to camera icon
After changing the live window of a camera to an icon, the application could crash when clicking on the icon.
Distorted display of custom resolutions in Player
If a camera had been recording using a custom image format (e.g. 1280x752), playing back these recordings in the Player did not show the proper resolution, but a distorted image.
Faulty display in preview windows of images rotated by 180°
Camera images rotated by 180° were sometimes displayed improperly in the preview window.
Crash when exporting snapshot recordings
When exporting time ranges in which the camera had been recording the images in Snapshot recording mode, the application sometimes crashed.
Errors sending remote commands
When using the remote command string 'GET ip=layout&active=0&speaker=1', the camera speaker was not activated as instructed.
Error in automatic alarm acknowledgement
If automatic alarm acknowledgement had been set to a value of 60 minutes or higher, the alarms were acknowledged immediately.
Error playing back MxPEG clips in fast forward
When playing back in fast forward, the application sometimes skipped single images (frames).
Faulty Hide camera controls command
This command did not only hide the camera controls, but also the MxCC controls.
Camera access data in Update Assistant faulty
When starting the Update Assistant, the access data of the individual cameras (user name, password) were sometimes not copied properly and had to be defined again in the Update Assistant. Likewise, storing these access data in a camera list of the Update Assistant was sometime faulty.
Problems in Video Search when files on the file server were missing
The stability of the Video Search feature has been improved, where the application could crash if the '.erdinfo' or 'info.jpg' files had been missing.
Creation Date: 2007-12-20
Publishing Date: 2007-12-21
Player with time-synchronized playback
MxControlCenter can now play back all camera windows of a layout, which are in Player mode, in a time-synchronized manner. This means that you can follow an incident recorded by several cameras in the correct sequence of events. To activate this feature, click on the new Time-synchronized playback button in the main window. Enter a start time in the Time-Synchronous Playback dialog and set all cameras to the desired time by clicking on Goto. Leave the Time-Synchronous Playback dialog open and use the player buttons of the main window to start and stop the playback.
Enhanced Event Search Also For M1 Cameras
The enhanced video search now also processes file server contents that have been recorded using M1 cameras.
Logging of all executed export actions
MxControlCenter automatically logs all executed export functions in an encrypted file, which can be opened in MxControlCenter for viewing. Exporting and viewing the log file requires user rights within MxControlCenter. To see the export log file, open the Export dialog and click on the Open Log button.
Axis Video Server and Toshiba IP cameras integrated
MxControlCenter can now integrate Axis Video Server and Toshiba IP cameras. This allows showing live MJPEG video streams in MxControlCenter and also provides a method for storing the video stream in the MOBOTIX folder structure when using an MxServer. To add a video channel of an Axis Video Server or a Toshiba IP camera, open the Search/open video sources dialog or use the Layout Editor.
Export of Bitmaps in the "Video Search" Dialog
When trying to export bitmaps (.bmp) in the Video Search dialog, this feature did not work.
Contents of the "Configure Element" dialog
The contents of the Configure Element dialog did not show the last settings even though the Remember last settings checkbox had been checked.
Missing time ranges when playing back MxPEG clips
When playing back MxPEG clips, MxControlCenter sometimes missed certain time ranges.
Scrollbars of mouse-over windows overlapping the alarm list did not work
The scrollbars of camera windows, which had been enlarged using mouse-over and overlapped the alarm list, did not work.
Audio activation was lost
When switching between several camera windows or after loosing a camera connection (e.g. due to a network failure), the audio channel of the camera was not transmitted any more.
Display of MOBOTIX cameras, which only support SSL/https connections
It was not possible to add MX camera using the https protocol. It is now possible to activate SSL when adding a camera.
Integration of analog cameras using MxServer
Setting different ports of MxServer when integrating analog cameras had errors.
Creation Date: 2007-09-14
Publishing Date: 2007-09-18
Version also Available for Windows 2000
For this version, a separate installation package for Windows 2000 is supplied.
Redesigned Buttons and Icons
Buttons and icons of the MxCC main window have been completely redesigned and display improved popup help.
Video Search Dialog with Additional and Freely Scalable Player Window
The Video Search dialog now features a separate, freely moveable and scalable window for displaying the stored camera videos. When opening the window, MxCC will open it in its original size (camera resolution) and will position it directly above the Player buttons. You can open this window by double-clicking into the Player window or by clicking on the new Open/close search window button. Double-clicking into the window or clicking the new Open/close search window button will close this window again.
Improved Handling when Playing Back Recorded Clips in the Main Window
When playing back stored MxPEG files in the Main window, the Loading clip... notification does not show any more and the display does not pause any more when MxCC is loading a new video sequence.
New Dialog for Adding Layout Elements
When right-clicking a display element in the Layout Editor, selecting Insert or Configure in the context menu will open a dialog which allows adding/configuring a display element from the list of available elements.
Live
Preview
Player
Video clip
File server path
Player window
Alarm window
Sequencer window (see New "Sequencer window" Element Type for Grid and Background Layouts)
Focus window (only for background layouts, see Focus window)
Status symbol (only for background layouts, see Status Symbol and 'MxStatus.exe' Application)
Layout button (only for background layouts)
Configure Sequencer button (only for background layouts, see New "'Configure Sequencer' button" Element Type)
Close windows button (only for background layouts)
New "Status symbol" and "Focus window" Display Element Types for Background Layouts
When using the new Insert dialog in the Layout Editor with background image, you can now add Status symbols and Focus windows to background layouts. Using these two new display elements, you can comfortably create overview layouts with all or some cameras shows as small status icons. When needed, you can add one or more focus windows for several cameras or live windows to display individual cameras. You can combine these two display elements as follows:
Status Symbol and 'MxStatus.exe' Application
First, add a Status symbol and connect it to the camera (IP address). The symbol is then displayed as a colored circle with "fans" that indicate the directing of viewing and the angle of the lens, for cameras with one or two lenses. The colors have the following meanings:
Red: the connection to the camera is not working
Yellow: the connection to the camera is working properly, but this camera is not displayed live in any of the connected MxControlCenter instances!
Green: this camera is displayed live in one of the connected MxControlCenter instances.
IMPORTANT: Please also read the description of the "MxStatus" application in New 'MxStatus.exe' Application for Updating the Status Symbols!
In addition to the status symbols, you can add one or more Focus windows to the layout. When clicking on a status symbol, the corresponding camera will be shown live in the focus window, if only one focus window exists. If several focus windows are present in the layout, simply click into the desired focus window, then click on the camera.
New 'MxStatus.exe' Application for Updating the Status Symbols
The MxStatus.exe Windows application should run on a Windows computer that is already running MxControlCenter. MxStatus is used to update the displayed status of the camera symbols of all connected MxControlCenter instances and to send the status to the "connected MxControlCenter instances", i.e. the other computers running MxControlCenter. (Please also see the description of the status symbols in the Status Symbol and 'MxStatus.exe' Application section.)
Starting the Application:
You can start MxStatus.exe by double-clicking or right-click > Open without any parameters. In this case, the application opens the default port 8080 for other computers running MxControlCenter. If required, you can start MxStatus at the command prompt with an IP address and a port number.
Example:
C:\Program Files\MOBOTIX\MxCC\MxStatus 127.0.0.1 8100
Connecting MxControlCenter and MxStatus:
The connected MxControlCenter instances are all computers with a running MxControlCenter in the network, which also have a connection to one single computer running MxStatus. In order to connect an MxControlCenter computer to an MxStatus computer, make sure that MxStatus is properly running on the computer. In addition, you need to configure all MxControlCenter computers in Options > General > MxStatus IP by entering the IP address (and the port number if different from 8080) of the Windows computer running MxStatus. It is not required to enter the port in MxControlCenter if you are using the default port 8080.
New "Sequencer window" Element Type for Grid and Background Layouts
When using the new Insert dialog in the Layout Editor with background image, you can now add Sequencer windows to grid and background layouts. A window of this type does display one camera (IP address). This window cycles through all live cameras and MxPEG clips of the current layout. You can set the interval for showing the individual cameras and select the cameras to show (IP addresses/names) in the Configure dialog.
New "'Configure Sequencer' button" Element Type
This element type allows adding a button to background layouts, which opens the dialog for configuring the Layout Sequencer window of the layout. This button allows users without administration rights to configure the Sequencer window in the running application.
New "'Close windows' button" Element Type
This element type allows adding a button to background layouts, which closes all open and freely moveable live camera windows of the layout.
Layout Sequencer Feature
Clicking on a Sequencer button in a layout will start the Layout Sequencer. If the Layout Sequencer is running, MxControlCenter will cycle through the defined layouts using the interval defined in the Options > General dialog, Sequencer time. You can activate the Layout Sequencer by Ctrl-clicking on the Sequencer button of the main window.
Improved "Open Video Sources" dialog
If you click on the Search/open video sources button in the main window and the Open Video Sources dialog opens, this dialog will contain the video sources of the current layout. This dialog will only start searching for cameras automatically, if you start MxControlCenter for the first time or without INI file.
Simplified Definition of the Camera File Server Paths
The definition of the file server paths for the video search features has been improved. Every camera tab in the Options dialog now has three settings for Get Player images:
Via camera
Global file server path (subfolder with camera factory IP is appended automatically)
Camera file server path
Improved Bonjour Search and Changes of Camera Network Configuration
If a camera has been found via Bonjour you can change not only the network settings, but also the standard gateway.
Merit Li-Lin IP PTZ Cameras Integrated
When clicking on the Search/open video sources you can now add Merit Li-Lin IP PTZ dome cameras. For now, the current model PIH-7625IP has been integrated.
CAUTION:
In order to store the Merit Li-Lin video stream as M-JPEG in the MOBOTIX files structure, you need to use MxServer version 1.0.34 or higher.
Provitek PT3 Pan/Tilt Head Integrated
Besides the Provitek pan/tilt heads PT and PT2, MxControlCenter now also supports the PT3 models. You can select the model in the Options dialog on the tab of the camera that is mounted on the pan/tilt head.
Inverted Control Commands for Pan/Tilt Heads and Analog PTZ Dome Cameras
When using pan/tilt heads and analog PTZ dome cameras, you can now invert the X and Y control commands. This provides for proper control of pan/tilt heads, which have been mounted upside-down. You can also set these options in the Options dialog on the tab of the camera mounted on the pan/tilt head or the PTZ camera.
Sending Audio from PC Microphone to Camera did not work
When trying to make an announcement, the audio signal recorded by the computer's microphone was not transmitted to the camera (audio announcement).
Wrong Days Displayed in Video Search
In the event list of the Video Search dialog, the weekday always showed Fri, while the date itself was displayed properly.
German/English Language Mixed in Print Output
When printing images in the Video Search dialog, some texts in the print layout still appeared in German.
Missing Files When Saving MxCC Configuration Completely
When saving the MxControlCenter configuration (including the runtime files), the DLL files were missing.
Automatic Language Selection of GUI Did Not Work
When opening MxControlCenter on Windows versions other than German, some dialogs appeared in different languages.
Camera Network Configuration Not Saved When Using Bonjour
When changing the camera network settings for IP address and network mask in MxControlCenter, these changes did not get saved in the camera.
Application Errors in Player Mode and in the "Open Video Sources" Dialog
When clicking on the Select all channels button and the Player mode had been pressed, the application could hang. The same could happen, when clicking on the Automatic search button in the Open Video Sources dialog.
Camera Configuration - Error When Accessing M1 or M10/D10 Cameras
When trying to open the configuration dialog for M1 cameras or M10/D10 cameras with older software versions, the application could hang.
New Export Dialog and AVI Generation
The Export dialog (click on the Export button in either the main MxControlCenter window or in the Video Search dialog) has been completely redesigned. Selecting the export format and setting the time span for exporting has been combined into one dialog. In addition, this dialog also allows selecting different codecs for generating AVI files, either with or without audio channel from the camera.
Icons Redesigned
All icons of MxControlCenter have been completely redesigned.
Language Versions
This version is available only in English and German. The other languages (French, Spanish and Italian) will be added in a later version.
When starting MxControlCenter without a default layout, the application automatically searches the network for MOBOTIX cameras. Apart from the "broadcast search", which only found cameras on the same subnet, MxControlCenter now uses the recently integrated Bonjour service. The application thus automatically finds Bonjour-enabled MOBOTIX cameras (software version >= 3.0.8.7) in other subnets, as long as they are using the same physical network and are not blocked off by firewalls. In addition, the MOBOTIX cameras found using Bonjour can be reconfigured directly from MxControlCenter either to use the specified IP addresses or to use DHCP to obtain their network addresses. Opening the Admin Menu > Ethernet Interface dialog in the browser interface of the cameras to reconfigure the network address is not required any more. The same search is also conducted every time you open the Open Video Sources dialog later on.
Clicking on the Camera Configuration button opens a new dialog, which allows to conveniently change various parameters in different sections of the camera settings. The following sections are currently available:
Overview
This tab lists the most important settings of the cameras in a table that can be accessed using the default password (arming, recording, events, etc.).
Image Setup
This tab allows changing the most relevant image settings. Currently, it is only possible to change one camera at a time.
Hint:
Exposure windows cannot be managed using this dialog – yet, but this will supported in a future version of MxControlCenter.
Recording
This tab allows changing the most important recording settings for one or more selected cameras. If the cameras are running software versions 3.1.x or higher, you can also use this tab to setup recording to an external file server. This means that you can create a Windows share on the computer running MxControlCenter that is also used by the camera as an external file server. If the camera is supposed to use the MxControlCenter computer for recording, you do not have to use the Windows dialogs to set up a corresponding shared folder.
CAUTION:
All changes to the settings in the "Camera Configuration" dialog will always be stored in the camera's permanent memory!
The Update Assistant is the tool for simultaneously updating the system software of one or more cameras. It automatically finds all MOBOTIX cameras using the Bonjour service (activated by default on the cameras), even if they are on a different subnet. You can also add and remove cameras manually and you can also store and load the compiled camera list.
In addition, you can store the configuration of one or more cameras for backup purposes and load the configuration back into the cameras.
Video Search (Event Search) via the camera – without direct file server access
The Video Search dialog (formerly named Event Search) now allows searching for stored events or a specific time when using continuous recording. In this case, MxControlCenter uses the MOBOTIX camera, which in turn has to have a properly working connection to the file server used for external storage. In order to search via the camera, make sure that Options > <camera tab>, option Get Player images has been set to Via camera.
Video Search on continuous recording even without "real" events
The Video Search dialog features a new button named Show real events only in the Search Parameters group. If this button is pressed, it is only relevant when searching for data stored using Continuous Recording. The button has an effect only in the following cases:
Files stored by MOBOTIX cameras using continuous recording, either with or without true events.
Video data of other manufacturer's cameras (analog or IP-based), which have been stored using MxServer, currently only if the data do not contain true events.
Activating the Show real events only option (button) on continuously recorded video data only makes sense when using MOBOTIX cameras. In this case, the event list contains only the additional "real" events (such as VM, IL, UC, ...) and not the "minute clips" recorded on a continuous basis. If this has not been activated (default setting), the event list contains the "real" events and the "minute clips", which are stored every minute, allowing you to search the continuously recorded video data.
Improved print feature
When printing the original image together with an image changed by PTZ/PP, both images will be printed in a redesigned layout.
Export feature available in Video Search
The export feature in the Export dialog already described above can now also be started in the video search by clicking on the Export button.
The performance of the Software Pan/Tilt/Zoom (PTZ) and Image Post Processing (PP) features has been improved considerably.
Windows language version not determined correctly and wrong language displayed
If MxControlCenter had been started on a computer with a Windows language version other than German, the application nonetheless displayed the German user interface. This behavior could only be remedied by moving the language DLLs to a different folder or by simply deleting the DLLs.
Zoom features automatically activated the Sequencer mode
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.
Flickering of the PTZ function on still images
When activating the PTZ function on still images, the images started flickering.
Unnecessary input box to save a changed layout
When switching between different layouts in the MxControlCenter main window, the application asked whether to store the changed layout, even though the layout had not been changed.
Frame rate of alarm window dropped to 1 fps
If a layout contained an alarm window, the triggering camera was correctly displayed in the alarm window, but its frame rate dropped to 1 frame per second.
Dual images distorted in Video Search dialog
If a dual camera with dual image (Camera selection: Both) was displayed in the Video Search (Event Search) dialog to search for events, the images in the film strip and in the preview had not been scaled proportionally, but were distorted.
Event search did not work on cameras set to a different port than 80
Events from cameras were not displayed in the Video Search (Event Search) dialog if these cameras had been set to a port that was different from the default port 80 and the images were collected via the camera (and not directly from a file server).
Note:
Starting with release 1.3.6, MxViewer has been renamed to MxControlCenter. The renaming does not have any influence on existing layouts, which had been created and managed using MxViewer. All existing MxViewer*.ini configuration can be loaded, edited and saved in MxControlCenter. The basic functionality and the user interface have not changed a lot from MxViewer.
Integrated software PTZ functions, including distortion correction
MxControlCenter now allows using the Pan/Tilt/Zoom features even on recorded clips, which have been added for evaluation/presentation purposes. Using these features, you can also pan to a certain spot in the live image of a camera and zoom into the image. This feature works for any window in MxControlCenter, regardless of the type of displayed video source!
This means that the PTZ features can be used on live streams, MxPEG clips and on the files stored on a file server; even still images (e.g. paused streams) can be examined using these features. Another strong point is the automatic correction of distorted images that are delivered by cameras with Super Wide-Angle and Ultra Wide-Angle lenses ("360°"). Once the lens type and camera mount type have been set, MxControlCenter automatically calculates the corresponding distortion correction. You can control the PTZ features of any camera window using a joystick or the mouse.
Integrated image Post Processing (PP)
Besides the PTZ features with automatic distortion correction, you can also correct images in post-processing mode, i.e. you can change image color contrast, brightness, contrast and sharpness even after the video has been recorded by a camera. Again, this feature works for any window containing live streams, recorded video and still images, regardless of the type of displayed video source.
Three additional buttons for controlling the PTZ and PP features have been added to the toolbar:
Show PTZ/PP dialog
Toggle Pan Tilt Zoom
Toggle Post Processing
Download the MxControlCenter Manual from www.mobotix.com, in the Support > Manuals section for more information on these functions.
New Dialog for extended event search with direct file server access
If a file server path has been set for a MOBOTIX camera (either in Options > General or in Options > <camera tab>), MxControlCenter will open the new Event Search dialog when clicking on the Show Eventlist button instead of the browser-based event list. The following functions have been added by the enhanced event search feature; for a more detailed information, please consult the MxControlCenter manual.
Selecting and switching between all cameras of the current layout when searching for events.
Display of all event images of a camera and navigation within the event images using a "storyboard".
Manual and automatic setting of a reference time, which can be used when searching for events while switching between two or more cameras.
Integrated event player with audio channel.
Creating and playing back the contents of the Playlist, which consists of events and event sequences of any camera in the current layout.
Note:
The enhanced event search is currently only supported when directly accessing a file server on which a MOBOTIX camera has been recording its video data. One of the next releases of MxControlCenter will also support indirect access to the stored video and audio data, i.e. the files are accessed via the cameras and not on the file server.
PTZ and image post processing also in event search
The new dialog for enhanced event search with direct file server access also allows using the integrated PTZ and image post-processing (PP) features. This means that you can use the same PTZ and PP operations within event search as in the MxControlCenter main window. Use the PTZ and PP buttons on the additional toolbar above the event player in order to adjust the lens and image post-processing parameters.
Adding two different image channels of a Dual camera (second image channel)
In addition to showing the live images of a Dual camera's current image sensor (left, right, both), MxControlCenter can display the images of the sensor that is currently not shown. Select the Set image link options command from the context menu of a camera window and set the desired parameters.
Note:
When using this option, the frame rate is restricted to max. 1 F/s!
Improvements of the Live window
Toggle audio on/off:
Using the context menu of a live window, you can also switch the audio channel for this window on or off.
Double-click to open the Live window:
Double-click any camera window to open the video in a detached window, regardless of whether it contains a live stream, a second image channel or camera events.
Integration of Axis IP cameras
This version of MxControlCenter can also get the M-JPEG stream from Axis IP cameras. To do so, simply add the string ":TA" after the camera's IP address. When using an Axis dome camera, such as the Axis 232 dome, MxControlCenter automatically activates PTZ control using a joystick.
Example: 192.168.1.173:TA
Changing camera image settings from MxControlCenter
Right-click a live window and click on the Camera Control command to open a dialog for directly setting the most important exposure and image settings of the corresponding camera. Using this dialog, you can control MOPBOTIX cameras just like the cameras of other manufacturers (currently only Axis).
Opening Live Windows Using Camnotify
Upon receiving a network message from a camera, MxControlCenter can be instructed to open the video stream of the sending camera in a detached Live window. To do so, activate the Open live window checkbox on the Options dialog, Remote Control tab.
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>), MxControlCenter 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 MxControlCenter 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 MxControlCenter 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 MxControlCenter and mouse-over windows
If the camera windows do not fit into MxControlCenter or a mouse-over window, MxControlCenter 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>), MxControlCenter 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, MxControlCenter 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 MxControlCenter continues to monitor the camera's live stream. If you hold the mouse pointer over such an icon (mouse-over) or an event occurs, MxControlCenter 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. MxControlCenter 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. MxControlCenter 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, MxControlCenter 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 MxControlCenter. Administration users (admin) of MxControlCenter will be given a choice where to save the configuration (locally or globally) when exiting MxControlCenter.
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
MxControlCenter 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, MxControlCenter 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
MxControlCenter 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 MxControlCenter. 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, MxControlCenter 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 MxControlCenter 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), MxControlCenter 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 MxControlCenter.
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 MxControlCenter. 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 MxControlCenter 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 MxControlCenter 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 MxControlCenter.
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, MxControlCenter 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, MxControlCenter 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 MxControlCenter 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.
MxControlCenter 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.