• Introduction
• Hardware
• Software Installation
• Configuring The Software
• Frequently Asked Questions

The following document covers the features of MultiView and its integration into an existing XCam system. It is assumed that an existing XCam system has already been configured and tested using a PalmPad remote or other controller. It is also assumed that the reader can properly configure all of the various equipment involved (cameras, motion sensors, etc.).

For instructions on configuring a single XCam, click here, or for multiple XCams, click here.

For instructions on configuring the Hawkeye, EagleEye, or ActiveEye Motion Sensors, click here.

• (1) Transceiver (TM751 or RR501) [photo]
• (1) USB Video Capture Cable (VA10A or VA11A) [photo]
• (1) Wireless XCam with Addressable Power Supply
• (1) Video Receiver (VR30A) [photo]
• (1) Firecracker Computer Interface (CM17A) [photo]

Once your cameras have been configured and tested, connect the RCA Video Out jack on the Video Receiver to one end of an RCA cable. Connect the other end to the RCA Video In jack on the USB Video Capture Cable.

Configuring the Firecracker Computer Interface

1. Connect the female DB9 connector on the Firecracker Interface directly to your PC's serial port.
   

2. If you own an MR26A PC Receiver, it can be connected to the male DB9 connector (pass-through port) on the Firecracker Interface.

3. If the computer's case or other cables prevent the Firecracker Interface from connecting properly, you may have to purchase an extension serial cable from a local computer parts supplier.

Note: You may connect other serial devices to the pass-through port of the Firecracker Interface; however, if the device operates all the time (mouse, modem, etc.), the Firecracker Interface will not operate properly. A device operating at all times should be connected to its own serial port.

Configuring the PC Receiver (also known as the Firecracker Receiver)

1. Connect the MR26A PC Receiver to the pass-through port of the Firecracker Interface.

2. The red LED on the MR26A should light to confirm it is receiving power from the computer.

1. Connect to the Internet.

2. Open the email you received from us containing your download link.

3. Click on the link or copy and paste it into your browser's address bar.

4. Once our download web page has finished loading, follow the instructions it provides.

5. When the download is complete, close all programs, but remain connected to the Internet. In order to install MultiView, your computer must have an active Internet connection.

6. Double click on the MultiView installation file you just downloaded.

Throughout the installation process, you will see the following windows:

Welcome Window

Destination Directory

File Transfer

Install Hardware

Installation Complete

Each window pane's label may be changed in the Settings dialog box.

The Camera One, Camera Two, Camera Three, and Camera Four tabs have the same options.

Option 1 contains the name that will be displayed above or below the camera's Image Window.

Option 2 shows the current House/Unit code that controls the related camera.

Option 3 controls the time/date stamp that appears in the Image Windows.

Option 4 determines when MultiView should save the captured images for the camera. The available choices are Always Save Images, Never Save Images, and Only Save Images When Motion Is Detected.

Option 5 sets whether or not the camera is a part of the switching cycle.

In the Motion Detection Settings section there are two options:

Option 1 sets the House/Unit code that will trigger MultiView to switch to the camera and start capturing images.

Option 2 sets the delay between each captured image and the total capture duration.

The Video Input tab allows switching between various video capture devices. MultiView defaults to our USB Capture Cable.

Use the About tab to find MultiView's version number, access the registration dialog box, or to load your Internet browser and visit our web site.

Initial Configuration

1. Before loading MultiView, shut down any programs that utilize a communications port (comport) to avoid any possible conflicts during the configuration process (i.e. PDA or digital camera software).

2. Run the MultiView application (Start button | Programs | MultiView | MultiView).
   MultiView Registration Dialog Box

   

3. After MultiView has completed loading the Registration dialog box should appear. It can also be accessed by going to Settings | About | Registration Info...

4. To register MultiView, your computer must have an active connection to the Internet.

5. In the Registration Code box enter the sales order number that contains your MultiView purchase. At the end of the sales order number add '-1' (a hyphen and the number one). Do not subtract one from the sales order number.
   Example: If the sales order number has the format of XXXXXX (Internet order) the registration number is XXXXXX-1. If the format is XXXXXX-AAXXX (telephone order) the registration number is XXXXXX-AAXXX-1. X represents any number and A represents any letter.

6. Click the Register Now! button.

7. The message box will display: "Sending Registration Request." MultiView contacts our server for registration.

8. After a few moments, the message box will read: "Product is registered!"

9. Click OK.

10. The Registration dialog box closes and returns you to the main window.

11. Click on the Settings button.

12. The Camera And Video Input Properties dialog box appears.

13. Select the Video Input tab.

14. Since you are using our USB Video Capture Cable, you should see USB Live! Video Capture selected in the Video Input selection list.

15. Select the Camera 1 tab.

16. For Option 1 change the camera name to "Cam A."

17. For Option 2 change the House/Unit code to match the House/Unit code for the camera you wish to control.

18. For Option 3 select the "Add a timestamp for this camera" radio button.

19. For Option 4 select Always Save Images.

20. For Option 5 select the "Include in snapshot cycle" radio button.

21. In the Motion Detection Settings section leave Option 1 set to "N/A" for both selection lists. We will cover motion detection later.

22. For each additional camera you have available (up to three additional cameras), configure the Camera 2, Camera 3, and Camera 4 tabs in the same manner as Camera 1. Rename each camera as Cam B, Cam C, and Cam D and match each to the appropriate House/Unit code of the camera they are to control.

23. For the tabs you do not have a camera to control select the "Remove from snapshot cycle" radio button.

24. Click the OK button. The Camera And Video Input Properties dialog box closes.

25. Click the Setup Firecracker button on the main window.

26. The Setup Firecracker dialog box appears.
    Setup Firecracker Dialog Box

    

27. If you do not know to which comport the Firecracker Interface is connected select the Automatic radio button in the Firecracker Transmitter section.

28. If you do know to which comport the Firecracker Interface is connected select the Manual radio button and then the comport from the selection box.

29. If you do not have an MR26A PC Receiver (also known as the Firecracker Receiver) connected to your computer select the Disabled radio button in the Firecracker Receiver section.

30. If you do own an MR26A, configure the Firecracker Receiver section in the same manner as the Firecracker Transmitter section.

31. Click on the OK button to save your settings and return to the main window.

32. The Live Video Preview window (#1) displays each camera in the cycle for a period of time equal to the setting in the Set Delay Between Cameras text box (#A).

33. Double click on one of the four Image Windows (#2)

34. A larger viewing window appears. The current camera's image is displayed within it; however, a few seconds later MultiView will switch to the camera associated with that Image Window. Image capturing stops while this new window is open.

35. Close the viewing window.

36. Double click on a different Image Window.

37. The viewing window appears again and a few seconds later MultiView switches to the camera associated with the Image Window.

38. Close the viewing window.

39. Click on the Zoom Snapshots button (#3).

40. A new window appears and it displays a larger version of the four Image Windows. As the cameras are cycled by MultiView each Image Window will update. Clicking on the images in this window does not switch to the associated camera.

Viewing Captured Images

1. To view the previously captured images go to My Computer | C: | My Images. Within My Images will be a folder whose name is the current year and month.

2. Open the folder.

3. Within this folder is another folder whose name is the current date. Open it to view the captured images. You will need an image viewing program such as Adobe Photoshop or Internet Explorer.

Motion Detection
The motion detection feature of MultiView can be used only if an MR26A PC Receiver is connected to the computer. If one is connected to your computer, and you own a HawkEye, EagleEye, or ActiveEye Motion Detector, the following instructions will show you how to configure MultiView to respond to motion.

1. Set the Motion Detector to an unused code. It is best to set it to a code that is not on the same House code as the cameras.

2. In MultiView, click on the Setup Firecracker button.

3. The Setup Firecracker dialog box appears.

4. Press the HOUSE/ON button located in the Motion Detector's battery compartment.

5. The red LED at the top of the Motion Detector flashes.

6. A moment later, the ON command for the Motion Detector should be displayed in the Received Commands box in the Setup Firecracker dialog box. This confirms that MultiView is properly receiving commands.

7. Click OK.

8. Click Settings.

9. Select the camera tab that you wish to activate with the Motion Detector.

10. In the Motion Detection Settings section, change the selection lists in Option 1 to match the House/Unit code assigned to the Motion Detector.

11. In Option 2, change the values to every 5 seconds and for a total period of 20 seconds.

12. Click OK.

13. Press the HOUSE/ON button on the Motion Detector.

14. MultiView will detect motion. A new button will appear below the Setup Firecracker button which reads: "Motion Detected - You have Pics!" Also, above the Live Video Preview the words "Motion Detected" appear.

15. Click on the new Motion Detected button to display the My Images folder. The button disappears.

16. Navigate to today's folder to view the captured images.

17. If you have additional Motion Detectors, repeat the steps above and assign each Motion Detector to a different code.

18. If you wish for MultiView to wait until motion is detected before capturing images, click the Sleep Until Motion Detected button.

19. Click it again if you wish to wake MultiView.