Manual Type *700-0160* Document Part Number 700-0160 R003
About This Guide The User Guide is intended for anyone who needs to operate, configure, or troubleshoot the Explorer MX-HD Basic and Plus Mobile Digital Video Recording (DVR) System. In this guide, both the MX-HD Basic and MX-HD Plus are referred to as Explorer MX-HD. The individual models are referred to as MX-HD Basic and MX-HD Plus.
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Contents Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1. Overview - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1–2 1.2. MX-HD DVR Product Features - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1–3 1.2.1. System Components - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1–4 1.2.2.
Contents Chapter 5 Maintenance and Troubleshooting 5.1. Returning Product for Service - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 5–1 5.2. Troubleshooting the MX-HD - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 5–2 Appendix A Specifications A.1. Explorer MX-HD - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - A–1 A.1.1.
Introduction CHAPTER 1 Introduction This chapter describes the product features and components of the Explorer® MX-HD Basic and Plus Mobile Digital Video Recording System.
Introduction 1.1. Overview This section introduces the product features of the Explorer® MX-HD Plus Mobile Digital Video Recording (DVR) System. The Explorer® MX-HD DVR integrates with optional Smart-Reach Mobile wireless technology and works with optional vMax Commander and vMax View video management software for on-board video data management, as shown in Figure 1-1.
Introduction 1.2. MX-HD DVR Product Features The Explorer MX-HD DVRs contain the following features: • supports up to 4 video channels and 4 audio channels • has one high-definition video channel • records up to 30 frames per second (FPS) at 720 × 480 D1 resolution on all video channels simultaneously • H.
Introduction 1.2.1.
Introduction 1.2.2. Recording Capacity for DVR Hard Drive Storage The Explorer MX-HD uses MPEG-4 (for analog cameras), H.264 and MJPEG (for an HD camera) video compression to extend the recording time on the hard drive. The recording time varies, depending on the settings for frames per second (speed), resolution (pixel count), and picture quality. The picture quality setting determines the amount a picture is compressed versus the amount of memory the picture takes up on the hard drive.
Introduction Table 1-4 MX-HD— Estimated Recording Times for 1 HD and 4 Analog Cameras Picture Quality* (3), 720p (1280 x 720) FPS 30 CIF (360×240) 338 hours Half D1 (720×240) 249 hours D1 (720×480) 198 hours 15 611 hours 498 hours 394 hours 10 873 hours 649 hours 502 hours 5 1286 hours 1067 hours 903 hours Table 1-5 MX-HD— Estimated Recording Times for 1 Analog Camera Picture Quality* (3) FPS 30 CIF (360×240) 4518 hours Half D1 (720×240) 2066 hours D1 (720×480) 1349 hours 15 8333 hours
Introduction 1.3. Product Interface and Devices This section describes the features of the DVR (front and back panels) and the trackball mouse. 1.3.1. DVR Front Panel Features The MX-HD DVR front panel features are shown in Figure 1-3 and briefly described in Table 1-8. For a detailed description of the front panel features, see Table 1-8, Front Panel Features, on page 1–7.
Introduction Table 1-8 Front Panel Features Item Feature Description 3 USB1, USB2 ports Supports USB devices for: • Copying video and audio information. • Exporting video clips. • Updating the DVR firmware. • Importing/exporting. • Connecting the trackball mouse. 4 LAN activity (green) Illuminates when there is network activity on the local area network connection. HDD activity (red) Illuminates when the DVR is accessing the hard drive.
Introduction 1.3.2. DVR Back Panel Features The MX-HD DVR back panel is shown in Figure 1-4 and described in Table 1-9. 1 3 2 9 8 7 4 6 5 Figure 1-4 Explorer MX-HD Back Panel Table 1-9 Back Panel Features 700-0160 R003 Item Feature Description 1 CONTROL Control connector (2-pin) controls the Smart-Reach® Mobile wireless bridge equipment. 2 AUX POWER Auxiliary power connector (2-pin) turns off after Record Delay Off settings.
Introduction 1.3.3. Trackball mouse 2 3 1 4 Figure 1-5 Trackball Mouse Pointing Device Table 1-10 Trackball Mouse Features Item Description 1 Click to select the highlighted option using index finger. 2 Click to select the highlighted option using thumb control. 3 • • 4 Moves the cursor around the screen. Delete a character entered into a field. Perform the function of the Back button. Many other USB mice will also work with the DVR.
Introduction 1.4. DVR Video Configuration Playback and Archiving There are three ways of accessing MX-HD DVR content playback and archiving features: • • • locally via OSD, mouse, and portable video monitor, see DVR Operation, on page 2–1. remotely via vMax Web browser interface and Ethernet/wireless connection, see vMax Web Remote Operation, on page 3–1. via vMax View video management software and DVR hard drive interface, see vMax View and the Hard Drive Interface, on page 2–3.
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DVR Operation CHAPTER 2 DVR Operation This chapter provides information and procedures for operating the MX-HD.
DVR Operation 2.1. Remove and Replace the DVR Hard Drive The DVR has a removable hard drive that is contained in a hard drive tray. A hard drive lock secures the cartridge during operation. Use the hard drive key to lock and unlock the hard drive. CAUTION: Data Loss Risk Do not remove the DVR hard drive until the red HDD activity indicator is off. Failure to do so may result in lost data.
DVR Operation 2.3. vMax View and the Hard Drive Interface The Harddrive Interface is provided with vMax View software to accommodate the MX-HD hard drives. The hard drive interface uses two USB connectors to work with power from the PC. To access video from the hard drive using vMax View: 1. Remove the hard drive from the DVR. 2. Connect to the USB ports on a PC or laptop with vMax View installed, as shown in Figure 2-1. ONLY MX-HD Figure 2-1 Harddrive Interface with Hard Drive 3.
DVR Operation 2.4. On Screen Display Access Use the On-Screen Display mode to locally access the DVR hard drive content and menus. To use the on-screen display (OSD) with trackball mouse and monitor: 1. Connect a portable video monitor to the VIDEO OUT RCA jack on the MX-HD front panel. Plug the USB trackball or mouse in the USB socket on the front of the DVR.
DVR Operation Table 2-1 On-Screen Display Information Feature Description Camera 1 to Camera 4 Camera titles, maximum 8 characters each. Main_Title Main title of the DVR, maximum 32 characters. HD Size Formatted size of the DVR hard drive, in gigabytes (GB). HD Used Percentage of recorded video on the DVR hard drive. At 100%, the message displayed depends on the Repeat Record settings in the Recording Settings menu. • When Repeat Record is set to On, the HD Used message reads “N/A Repeating”.
DVR Operation 2.5. Playback Menu Access Use the Playback menu to search, playback, and archive video directly from the DVR hard drive. To access the playback menu: 1. In the OSD view, right-click the live view to access the Main Menu and click Playback. Figure 2-5 Main Menu 2. Click on the Show/Hide toolbar icon in the center of the window. The Playback tool bar appears.
DVR Operation Table 2-2 Playback Tool Bar Items Tool Bar Icon 1 700-0160 R003 Description Start of clip/End of clip Click to set the start and end of clip points for Archiving. See page 2–11. Search Click to search by Date, Time, Alarm, Signals, or System Event. Archive Click to display the Archive window to save a video clip to a USB device. Fast Rewind Click to reverse during playback. With playback paused, each click reverses the video by one frame. Play/Pause Click to start playback.
DVR Operation 2.5.1. Using the Search Function The MX-HD includes a powerful search function that lets you quickly find recorded information by Date and Time, Alarm, Signals, and by System Event. To view the Search menu: 1. From the Main Menu, click on the Search icon. The Search menu appears as shown in Figure 2-7. The items appearing in the dialog box will depend on the item selected in Search Only box.
DVR Operation Table 2-4 DVR Events Description Event Description Almn Off Alarm Off Almn On Alarm On GPS Crossed GPS Fence IG0 Ignition off IG1 Ignition on LIVE DVR changes to live mode PLoss Power Loss Rec On Normal Recording event RUn Remote User Login n Signaln Signal Event n Vlossn Video loss on channel n 2. Click the Start Date and Time fields to set the search ranges. Click Search.
Figure 2-9 Event List 3. From the Event List, select the required list item. 4. Click Play to review the video. Note the time when the event occurs and which camera captures the event details.
DVR Operation 2.5.2. Using the Archive Function An archive dialog box lets you specify the start and end date and time of the video clip to be archived to a USB memory device. To view the Archive menu: 1. From the Playback tool bar, click on the Archive icon. The Archive menu appears as shown in Figure 2-7. The items appearing in the dialog box depend on the item selected in the Filter By drop down menu.
DVR Operation To establish an archive clip: To archive a clip using the one touch download, you must have the One touch settings (in the system settings menu) set to "Clip". See Figure 2-12. Figure 2-12 One-Touch Settings: clip 1. Use the video playback or search controls to view the start date and time of the video you want to archive. 2. Click start of clip icon to set the start point of the archive clip. 3. Locate the end of the video you want to archive in Play mode, and click Pause. 4.
DVR Operation 2.5.3. Copy to USB To copy video files to a USB memory device: 1. Insert a USB memory device into an open USB port on the DVR front panel. 2. In the Playback tool bar, click the archive icon to display the Archive screen. 3. Select the archive start and end date and time. 4. Click on Copy to USB to start archiving. A progress bar appears. 5. Remove the USB drive when complete and return to the Archive screen. Figure 2-13 Copy to USB Progress Bar 2.5.3.1.
DVR Operation 2.6. Using One-Touch Download Use the One-Touch download for downloading specific recorded information to a USB drive via the USB port. One-Touch download is available when the DVR is on and in live, playback, or record mode. Use the ONE TOUCH button on the DVR. Video is downloaded in the Seon proprietary DVR hard drive format and can be viewed and archived with the vMax View application. See the vMax View User Guide, 700-0137.
DVR Operation Figure 2-15 One-Touch Progress When transfer is complete, the on-screen display closes. 5. Remove the USB drive. 6. To power off the DVR immediately, press STOP/TEMP PWR for five seconds. The DVR will power off automatically after five minutes.
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vMax Web Remote Operation CHAPTER 3 vMax Web Remote Operation This chapter provides information on using vMax Web to remotely access the MX-HD DVR for viewing live or recorded video and archiving recorded video.
vMax Web Remote Operation 3.2. Accessing vMax Web When the MX-HD DVR is connected to the network, users can remotely access the DVR over the web to view, playback, and archive video as well as configure the DVR. CAUTION: System Access Restriction DVR menu access is restricted to persons with system access permission. If you require permission to access configuration settings, contact your system administrator.
vMax Web Remote Operation 4. On the keyboard, press Enter. 5. At the prompt, enter the user name and password. Figure 3-2 vMax Web DVR Login Prompt The default user name is Admin. The default password is 11111111. Login data can be edited in the DVR Configuration > Network> User Levels menu. CAUTION: System Access Restriction DVR user names and passwords are provided by Seon Design with specific permissions assigned depending on user requirements.
vMax Web Remote Operation 3.3. vMax Web User Interface vMax Web opens with the Live tab selected and live video from the MX-HD cameras display. By default, vMax Web will stay active for 10 minutes after you last used it and then close the connection to the DVR. If you have a file saving menu open and are downloading an archive, this does not apply. This vMax Web Timeout time can be adusted in the Configuration tab’s System menu.
vMax Web Remote Operation 3.3.1. vMax Web Live Tab Upon login, vMax Web opens with the Live tab selected, as shown. . Figure 3-5 Live tab NOTE: The CHW HD Camera output cannot display in live mode because the Ethernet port is required for network access. To setup the Live tab view 1. In the Select drop down menu, select the Record 2 or Record video stream.
vMax Web Remote Operation 3.3.2. vMax Web Configuration Tab The Configuration tab contains menus specific to DVR features and setting options. Features vary depending on the DVR model used. The vMax Web configuration menus are similar to the DVR OSD menus. See the MX-HD DVR Installation and Configuration Guide, 700-0159, for specific details when configuring DVR function settings.
vMax Web Remote Operation 3.3.3. vMax Web Playback Tab To search the recorded video, select the Playback tab as shown in Figure 3-7. Figure 3-7 Playback tab views, searching by Time or Event Table 3-3 Time Search Fields Menu Item Description Value [Default] Select Choose which recording stream to search for video in. • With Record selected, high resolution video is available for archiving. • With Record2 selected, low resolution video is available for faster searching and remote playback.
vMax Web Remote Operation Table 3-4 Event Search Fields Menu Item Description Value [Default] Select Choose which recording stream to search for video in. • With Record selected, high resolution video is available for archiving. • With Record2 selected, low resolution video is available for faster searching and remote playback. Record, [Record2] Search By Choose whether to search by the time the event occurred or by specific events.
vMax Web Remote Operation There are two ways to search the DVR for video: • • by the time an event occurred by alarm, signal or system events recorded by the DVR To Search Video from a Time Point 1. Use the Channel Display/Full Screen tools to display all or individual channels. Each camera’s status is indicated by a color and explained in the color legend below the 12 display buttons. 2. In the Select drop down menu, select the Record 2 or Record video stream.
To Search Video from an Event Marker 1. Select Event in the Search By drop down menu. The Event Type and Event Filter menus appear, as shown in Figure 3-7. 2. From the Event type menu, select an event type. 3. From the Event Filter menu, select a filter type. Table 3-6 Event Search Fields Event Types Filters Alarms Alarms recorded that occurred within the selected time range are listed.
vMax Web Remote Operation 6. From the list that appears in the View area, select an event and click Play. Windows may request to download an Active X control. Figure 3-8 Playback Event Search Results 7. On the Playback tab area, use the play, pause, fast forward or reverse (up to 32x speed) controls to locate the video loss event. When reviewing the event list, you can also click on the first (Archive) playback icon to set the start and stop time and then archive from here 8.
vMax Web Remote Operation 3.3.4. vMax Web Archive Tab To archive the specific recorded video, select the Archive tab as shown in Figure 3-9. Figure 3-9 Archive tab Table 3-7 Archive Tab Fields Menu Item Description Value [Default] Select Choose which recording stream to search. • With Record selected, high resolution video is available for archiving. (Recommended) • With Record2 selected, low resolution video is available for faster searching and remote playback.
vMax Web Remote Operation To Archive Video Segments 1. In the Select drop down menu, select the Record video stream. The Explorer MX-HD DVR records two streams of video, one for low bandwidth remote viewing, and one with higher video speed, quality, and resolution settings for creating archives. When accessing the DVR with vMax Web, the Record 2 video stream is selected for use with low bandwidth connections while viewing live video.
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DVR Firmware and Configuration Uploads CHAPTER 4 DVR Firmware and Configuration Uploads This chapter provides information and procedures for uploading firmware updates and DVR configuration files to the DVR. CAUTION: Administrator Permissions Required These procedures should only be performed by administrator level staff. If you have questions about these procedures, contact Seon support.
DVR Firmware and Configuration Uploads 4.1. Firmware Updates The firmware version is displayed on the top right corner of every menu. The firmware update must be obtained from Seon Design. To install a firmware update, a USB memory device must be formatted from a Windows®-based computer using the FAT file format. Load the Program Update file onto the USB memory device. CAUTION: Equipment damage Do not remove power while updating the DVR firmware. Equipment damage may result.
DVR Firmware and Configuration Uploads 4.2. Configuration Uploads A configuration file is uploaded to a DVR when the DVR is first installed or when settings need to be changed on multiple DVRs in a fleet. Configuration files can be uploaded at the DVR with a USB drive or over the network using vMax Web or vMax Commander applications. Use these procedures upload DVR configuration files. To upload configurations with vMax Commander, see the the vMax Commander Installation and Configuration Guide (700-0100).
DVR Firmware and Configuration Uploads 7. In the System Settings menu click Program Update. Figure 4-3 System Program Update Menu 8. From the Load Configuration menu, select the file to upload. Figure 4-4 Select Configuration File Important: 4–4 The Load Configuration menu displays only the ten most recent configuration files on the USB drive.
DVR Firmware and Configuration Uploads 9. From Include Network, select whether or not to overwrite the existing DVR network settings with the new configuration settings. The default setting of NO keeps your existing network settings. CAUTION: DVR Communication Disruption Risk Avoid unintentionally changing the DVR network settings when uploading a new configuration. When saving or changing network settings, communication with the DVR can be disrupted. Figure 4-5 Program Update Menu 10. Click Load.
DVR Firmware and Configuration Uploads 12. Click Back in the Program Update and then System Settings menus to save and exit the menus. Figure 4-8 Click Back to Save Configuration 13. From the Configuration menu, click Title/Display, and in the Titles and Display menu, update the text in the Main_Title field. Figure 4-9 Titles and Display Menus 14. Click Back to save. 15. Remove the USB memory device. 16.
DVR Firmware and Configuration Uploads 4.2.2. Uploading Configuration Files to DVR via vMax Web To remotely install a configuration update, the configuration file (received from Seon or created and saved from a DVR in your network) must be on a computer with network access to the DVR and with Internet Explorer 8 (32 bit version) to access vMax Web. To upload a configuration update on the MX-HD via vMax Web: 1. On a computer, copy the DVR configuration file. 2. Power up the DVR using the vehicle ignition.
DVR Firmware and Configuration Uploads 6. Click OK or press Enter on the keyboard to display the vMax Web interface live view screen. Figure 4-11 vMax Web Live View 7. Select the Configuration Tab. 8. On the Configuration tab, click the System icon.
DVR Firmware and Configuration Uploads 9. In the Program Update Settings area, select the Include Network Settings check box to overwrite the existing DVR network settings with the new configuration settings. The default (cleared) setting keeps your existing network settings during the configuration upload. CAUTION: Risk of Network Settings Loss Configurations uploaded to the DVR with vMax Web do not get written to the DVR until it powers down and restarts.
DVR Firmware and Configuration Uploads 11. In the computer file search window, navigate to the configuration file and click Open. Figure 4-15 Windows File Search Important: For consistency, Seon recommends that the configuration upload file name should be kept to four characters maximum (****.seon) in the event that the file needs to be loaded to the DVR from the USB port. The DVR USB upload interface supports only four characters in the file name. 12.
DVR Firmware and Configuration Uploads 16. When the progress bar shows the update is 100% complete, click OK. Figure 4-18 Loading Complete 17. In the Titles/Display menu, update the text in the Main_Title field. Figure 4-19 Titles and Display Menu 18. Click Save to save the settings to the DVR. 19. Power down and restart the DVR. 20. Login with vMax Web and refresh the vMax Web browser view. 21. Confirm that the new configuration settings are in place. 22.
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Maintenance and Troubleshooting CHAPTER 5 Maintenance and Troubleshooting Table 5-1 Maintenance Tasks Tasks What to do Synchronizing the DVR Clock If the system does not have a GPS sensor, synchronize the DVR clock every six months to ensure accurate video recording of the time and date. For setting the time and date, see the Time and date menu.
Maintenance and Troubleshooting 5.2. Troubleshooting the MX-HD The MX-HD is designed for high reliability of operation. If you have any problems with your system, however, read this chapter. If you cannot resolve the issue, contact Customer Service at Seon Design. Symptom Possible Cause and Solution All problems. Many system problems are caused by issues with the power supplied to the DVR. Check the following: • The voltage to the system may be too low.
Specifications APPENDIX A Specifications This appendix provides the product specifications for the Explorer MX-HD Basic and Plus Mobile Digital Video Recording (DVR) System. Note: Specifications are subject to change without notice. A.1. Explorer MX-HD 700-0160 R003 Video Input/Output 75 Ohm NTSC video Video Resolution High Definition: 1280 x 720 pixels Analog: 720 × 480, 720 × 240, or 360 × 240 pixels Video Compression H.
Specifications A.1.1. Advanced Smart-Temp™ Temperature inside DVR Advanced Smart-Temp… Below –4°F (–20°C) DVR is not powered, although the hard drive can still be removed from the DVR, the heater is on. If the temperature falls below a preset value with the heater on, the DVR shuts down. Above 149°F (65°C) Shuts down the DVR to protect the hard drive from damage. A.1.2.
Legal Notice Seon Design® Inc. Seon Design Inc. is a specialist in the design and manufacture of video surveillance systems for mobile applications. Seon has been the preferred solutions provider for the pupil transportation industry since 1999. Today, we are proud that our success in this area has made us the leading manufacturer of mobile video surveillance systems in North America. Contact Information Seon Design Inc., Unit 111, 3B Burbidge Street, Coquitlam, BC Canada V3K 7B2 Telephone Fax Email 604.
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Seon Design Inc. Product Warranty Seon Design Inc.
Seon Design Inc. Product Warranty AND STRICT LIABILITY) OR ARISING UNDER OTHER THEORIES OF LAW WITH RESPECT TO GOODS SOLD OR SERVICES RENDERED BY SEON, OR ANY UNDERTAKINGS, ACTS OR OMISSIONS RELATING THERETO, AND (C) ALL CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL AND CONTINGENT DAMAGES WHATSOEVER, EVEN IF SEON HAS BEEN SPECIFICALLY ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
Seon Design Inc. Unit 111, 3B Burbidge Street Coquitlam, BC Canada V3K 7B2 Telephone Toll Free Telephone Fax Toll Free Fax Email Web site 700-0160 R003 604.941.0880 1.877.630.7366 604.941.0870 1.866.664.3677 sales@seon.com www.seon.
