MultiView Setup
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the X10 MultiView Camera system! This kit gives you everything you need to view and control up to four cameras from your PC.
Before you begin the installation, you will need to select the locations and settings for the cameras. These might include cameras at the front and back doors and in a child's room or looking at the back yard. The cameras will each have an X10 address, consisting of the House (letter) and Unit (number) codes. If you are already using X10 automation, choose a House Code that is not in use by any other modules or controllers. The cameras must be set to consecutive addresses within one of the following groups: 1-4, 5-8, 9-12 or 13-16.
Setup
First, download and install MultiView using the link you received by e-mail. (If you did not get an e-mail with the link in it, fill out our Secure Download Link Form). Once this is done, you are ready to install the USB Video Capture Adapter (model VA11A). Do not connect it before installing MultiView.
When the installation program instructs you, plug the USB Video Capture Adapter into a USB port on your computer. The computer will recognize that new hardware has been connected and will complete the installation.
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Next, plug the Firecracker interface (model CM17A) into a serial port on your PC. Connect the PC Receiver (model MR26A) to the port on the Firecracker interface. Or, connect the CM19A USB Transceiver into an available USB port. Now run MultiView.
Camera Installation
Set the House Code on the wireless transceiver module (model TM751), and plug it into an AC outlet, extending the antenna. Set the House Code on the ScanCam remote control (model CR12A) and insert 4 AAA batteries. If the cameras are going to be using Unit Codes other than 1-4, follow the remote's instructions to change the scan controls. Connect the video receiver (model VR36A or VR31A) to the USB Video Capture Adapter. Adjust the antenna so that it faces in the general direction of all the cameras--sometimes it may be best to point the antenna toward the ceiling.
Set up a camera
Set the House and Unit code on the addressable power supply (XM10A, XM13A, XM16A, or XM17A). Plug the power supply into a free electrical outlet. Connect the camera to its power supply. You should see the picture on your PC. Adjust the antenna so it points toward the antenna on your video receiver. When this is complete, turn the camera off using the CR12A ScanPad Remote. Repeat these steps for each camera.
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Now that you can see the video from each camera, you can adjust the antenna position on each for best reception. Experiment to see what works. You can also improve the picture by focusing the camera on the area you want most to supervise. To focus an X10 camera, turn the black piece of the lens mounting. Try not to force it, and move it counter-clockwise first.
Set up a motion sensor for each camera. Find a place for the EagleEye or ActiveEye motion sensor in the area where the camera is installed. Follow its instructions to set the House and Unit code to the same address as the camera it accompanies. Repeat these steps for each motion sensor.
Setting Up MultiView
When you first run MultiView software, the Camera and Video Input Properties configuration window opens automatically. This dialogue alerts you to set up MultiView.
These options are:
- The name of the camera as you want it to appear in its MultiView window. The location of the camera or a description of what it is looking at will be helpful when using the program.
- The X10 address assigned to that camera. Enter the letter and number code (House and Unit code) as you see them on each camera's power supply.
- The folder on your computer where MultiView snapshots are saved. Unless you change it, all of your snapshots will be saved in the Images folder of the MultiView directory. If you want to change this location, click on "Pick Directory" to browse folders on your computer.
- The number of images from each camera you want to save before recycling older ones. If you want a larger history of images, choose a higher number. The default is 25.
- Whether or not you want the date and time saved onto the image when it is captured. Change this option only if you have an X10 RF Receiver (model MR26A, also called the Boom 2000 Receiver or Firecracker Receiver) and one or more X10 motion sensors that you will use with your cameras. If you have these items, choose the "Only save images when motion is detected
option" to let MultiView watch for motion signals from the X10 motion sensors and only save images when something has changed. This setting is used with the option settings below.
- If you do not want this camera to be switched on and off as part of the MultiView rotation, select "Remove from snapshot cycle." Otherwise, leave the setting at its default to let MultiView use this camera in its image windows.
You should change these settings for each of the cameras you have installed and want to use with MultiView. The most important option to change is the House and Unit code setting. If you do not select this for each camera, MultiView will not be able to switch between cameras.
In addition to the settings above, there are two settings for using motion sensors with the software:
- Enter the House and Unit code setting for the motion sensor associated with the camera. This address does not have to be the same as the address of the camera from step one above. When the motion sensor sends the signal that motion is detected, MultiView will send a command to turn the appropriate camera on.
- Choose how frequently and for how long you want MultiView to save snapshots after motion is detected.
Video Input
Select the Video Input tab from the Camera and Video Input Properties window, which shows options to select the video device for MultiView. Under Option One, there is a list of video devices currently installed on your computer. Click the drop-down menu to select which one to use. If you change the device while MultiView is running, you need to exit and restart the program.
When you are finished with the Camera and Video Input settings, click "OK" to save them and enter MultiView.
Cameras Switching Settings
Once you have configured the main MultiView settings, its program window opens. There is only one setting in this window. In the box labeled "Set delay between cameras," you can change the time that MultiView pauses on each camera before switching to the next one. This also determines how often a new image is saved--MultiView saves one shortly after each camera change.
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