SEON Explorer MX-HD User manual

Manual Type
Document Part Number 700-0160 R003
*700-0160*

700-0160 R003 iii
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.
Related user guides include:
•Explorer MX-HD Install and Setup Guide, 700-0159
•vMax View User Guide, 700-0137
Conventions Used
Abbreviations and Acronyms
Finding Information Online
You can find more information about Seon Design Inc. as well as its products and
services at www.seon.com.
CAUTION
Cautions identify conditions or practices that could result in damage to the unit or other equipment.
Recommendation: These notes provide tips for optimum performance of the DVR system.
Important: These notes provide important information, which are not as serious as a Caution.
Acronym Definition Acronym Definition
DVR Digital Video Recorder LAN Local area network
FPS Frames per second MJPEG Motion Joint Photographic
Experts Group
GPS Global Positioning System MPEG-4 Moving Picture Experts Group
HD High Definition OSD On Screen Display
HDD Hard disk drive RA Return Authorization
H.264 H.264 video compression TCM Transmission Control Module
IPS Images per second TCP/IP Transmission Control Protocol/
Internet Protocol
IR Infrared USB Universal Serial Bus
UTC Universal Time Coordinated

About This Guide
iv 700-0160 R003

700-0160 R003 v
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. Recording Capacity for DVR Hard Drive Storage - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1–5
1.2.2.1. Estimated Recording Times - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1–5
1.3. Product Interface and Devices- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1–7
1.3.1. DVR Front Panel Features - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1–7
1.3.2. DVR Back Panel Features - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1–9
1.3.3. Trackball mouse - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1–10
1.4. DVR Video Configuration Playback and Archiving - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1–11
Chapter 2 DVR Operation
2.1. Remove and Replace the DVR Hard Drive - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–2
2.2. Search, Playback, and Archive Video- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–2
2.3. vMax View and the Hard Drive Interface- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–3
2.4. On Screen Display Access - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–4
2.5. Playback Menu Access- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–6
2.5.1. Using the Search Function - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–8
2.5.2. Using the Archive Function - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–11
2.5.3. Copy to USB - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–13
2.5.3.1. Archive Segmentation - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–13
2.6. Using One-Touch Download - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2–14
Chapter 3 vMax Web Remote Operation
3.1. System Requirements- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3–1
3.2. Accessing vMax Web - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3–2
3.3. vMax Web User Interface - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3–4
3.3.1. vMax Web Live Tab - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3–5
3.3.2. vMax Web Configuration Tab - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3–6
3.3.3. vMax Web Playback Tab - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3–7
3.3.4. vMax Web Archive Tab - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3–12
3.3.4.1. Archive Segmentation - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3–13
3.3.5. Viewing MX-HD Video Archives - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3–13
Chapter 4 DVR Firmware and Configuration Uploads
4.1. Firmware Updates - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4–2
4.2. Configuration Uploads - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4–3
4.2.1. USB Memory Device to DVR Configuration Upload - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4–3
4.2.2. Uploading Configuration Files to DVR via vMax Web - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4–7
Contents

Contents
vi 700-0160 R003
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. Advanced Smart-Temp™ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -A–2
A.1.2. Explorer MX-HD Functional Features - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -A–2
A.1.3. Explorer MX-HD Front Cover, Cable Cover - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -A–2
A.1.4. Smart-Link™ Module - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -A–2
Legal Notice
Seon Design® Inc. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - L–1
Contact Information - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - L–1
Seon Design Inc. Product Warranty
Disclaimer - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -W–1

Introduction
700-0160 R003 1–1
CHAPTER 1
Introduction
This chapter describes the product features and components of the Explorer® MX-HD
Basic and Plus Mobile Digital Video Recording System. This chapter contains the
following sections:
Overview, on page 1–2
MX-HD DVR Product Features, on page 1–3
System Components, on page 1–4
Recording Capacity for DVR Hard Drive Storage, on page 1–5
Product Interface and Devices, on page 1–7
DVR Front Panel Features, on page 1–7
DVR Back Panel Features, on page 1–9
Trackball mouse, on page 1–10
DVR Video Configuration Playback and Archiving, on page 1–11
DVR Video Configuration Playback and Archiving, on page 1–11

Introduction
1–2 700-0160 R003
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.
Figure 1-1 MX-HD DVR System with Smart-Reach Mobile Wireless and vMax Commander Software

Introduction
700-0160 R003 1–3
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.264, MPEG-4, and MJPEG video compression
• has removable hard disk DVR drive
• stores up to 1 TeraByte (TB)
• offers dual stream recording; high-resolution stream for playback on a PC, or
lower resolution stream for viewing over a cellular phone network
• uses Global Positioning System (GPS) technology for Geo-fencing, to designate a
geographic boundary for the vehicle and provides an alert if the vehicle leaves the
area
• authorized personnel only restricted access to DVR via keyed Security front cover
and secure cable cover with slotted cable entries, as shown.
• mounting options that can accommodate horizontal or vertical installation
• configure, playback, and archive video from the DVR locally with trackball
mouse, monitor, and DVR On Screen Display (OSD)
• configure, playback, and archive video from the DVR remotely with vMax Web
via Ethernet connection
• interfaces with network using the RJ-45 connections on the back panel, see Figure 1-4
Figure 1-2 MX-HD DVR with Security Front Cover and Secure Cable Cover

Introduction
1–4 700-0160 R003
1.2.1. System Components
The typical MX-HD system consists of the following components (see Product
Interface and Devices, on page 1–7):
• Explorer MX-HD DVR and hard drive
• Analog cameras and camera cables, one per camera
• HD camera and Power over Ethernet Injector
• Trackball mouse
• Alarm input switch and cable
• Power input harness with in-line fuses for constant and switched power lines
The MX-HD Plus system consists of the following additional components:
• Smart-Link™ module
• Cables and harnesses:
• ignition input harness
• power input harness with in-line fuses for constant and switched power lines
• alarms and signals harnesses
• speed harness
• Diagnostic Button (optional)
• RGY Illuminator (optional)
• GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver (optional)
• Smart-Reach Wi-fi (optional)
• XELR-8 G-Sensor (optional)
• Portable video monitor (optional)
See Recording Capacity for DVR Hard Drive Storage, on page 1–5.

Introduction
700-0160 R003 1–5
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.
• A lower picture quality of setting 1, for example, means higher compression and a
lower memory requirement.
• A higher picture quality of setting 4, for example, means lower compression and a
higher memory requirement.
1.2.2.1. Estimated Recording Times
Table 1-1 to Table 1-7 show the estimated recording time in hours for a 750 GB Hard
Drive at different settings, including Record 2 set at 5 FPS, (3) 360x240.
Important: The average image size is dependent on the scene content, amount of motion, and the
lighting conditions. Actual recording times will vary greatly.
Table 1-1 MX-HD— Estimated Recording Times for 1 HD Camera
FPS Picture Quality* (3), 720p (1280 x 720)
30 481 hours
15 865 hours
10 1286 hours
5 1843 hours
Table 1-2 MX-HD— Estimated Recording Times for 1 HD and 1 Analog Camera
FPS
Picture Quality* (3), 720p (1280 x 720)
CIF (360×240) Half D1 (720×240) D1 (720×480)
30 435 hours 390 hours 355 hours
15 784 hours 730 hours 666 hours
10 1150 hours 1033 hours 925 hours
5 1663 hours 1559 hours 1462 hours
Table 1-3 MX-HD— Estimated Recording Times for 1 HD and 2 Analog Cameras
FPS
Picture Quality* (3), 720p (1280 x 720)
CIF (360×240) Half D1 (720×240) D1 (720×480)
30 397 hours 328 hours 281 hours
15 716 hours 632 hours 542 hours
10 1040 hours 863 hours 722 hours
5 1515 hours 1351 hours 1212 hours

Introduction
1–6 700-0160 R003
* As set in the DVR’s Camera Settings and Record2 Settings configuration menus.
Table 1-4 MX-HD— Estimated Recording Times for 1 HD and 4 Analog Cameras
FPS
Picture Quality* (3), 720p (1280 x 720)
CIF (360×240) Half D1 (720×240) D1 (720×480)
30 338 hours 249 hours 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
FPS
Picture Quality* (3)
CIF (360×240) Half D1 (720×240) D1 (720×480)
30 4518 hours 2066 hours 1349 hours
15 8333 hours 4688 hours 2896 hours
10 10870 hours 5245 hours 3289 hours
5 17045 hours 10135 hours 7075 hours
Table 1-6 MX-HD— Estimated Recording Times for 2 Analog Cameras
FPS
Picture Quality* (3)
CIF (360×240) Half D1 (720×240) D1 (720×480)
30 2259 hours 1033 hours 674 hours
15 4167 hours 2344 hours 1448 hours
10 5435 hours 2622 hours 1645 hours
5 8523 hours 5068 hours 3538 hours
Table 1-7 MX-HD— Estimated Recording Times for 4 Analog Cameras
FPS
Picture Quality* (3)
CIF (360×240) Half D1 (720×240) D1 (720×480)
30 1130 hours 517 hours 337 hours
15 2083 hours 1172 hours 724 hours
10 2717 hours 1311 hours 822 hours
5 4261 hours 2534 hours 1769 hours

Introduction
700-0160 R003 1–7
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.
Figure 1-3 Explorer MX-HD Front Panel
Table 1-8 Front Panel Features
Item Feature Description
1 DVR Drive lock Requires the DVR drive key to unlock and remove the DVR hard drive.
See Remove and Replace the DVR Hard Drive, on page 2–2 for hard drive removal details.
When the DVR is recording, turn the hard drive key to the open position. The DVR HDD
Activity LED blinks while the recordings are stopping. After ten seconds or until the red
HDD activity indicator is off, gently pull out the hard drive.
CAUTION: Data Loss
Do not remove the DVR hard drive until 10 seconds after power to the hard drive is turned
off and the red HDD activity indicator is off. Failure to do so may result in lost data.
2 DVR Hard Drive Remove the hard drive to a separate location for playback using the TL/MX Drive Interface
connected to a PC. Notice that the MX-HD hard drive has a label on the handle to identify it
is for this DVR series. Placing the MX-HD hard drive in a TL series DVR and vice versa will
result in lost data. See Remove and Replace the DVR Hard Drive, on page 2–2 and Figure 2-
1 on page 2–3.
MX-HD ONLY
2
3
875
1
4
6

Introduction
1–8 700-0160 R003
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.
PWR indicator (green)
TEMP ---
VOLTAGE — —
Illuminates when the DVR is powered on.
Flashes quickly when the DVR cannot power up due to temperature limitations.
Flashes slowly when the DVR cannot power up due to voltage limitations.
5 AUDIO OUT (red) Audio output RCA jack.
6 VIDEO OUT (yellow) Video output RCA jack for configuring the DVR and viewing recorded video.
7 ONE TOUCH Press to start ONE TOUCH downloading to portable media installed in USB port.
See Using One-Touch Download, on page 2–14.
8 STOP/TEMP PWR (red
button) • Powers on the DVR for five minutes if held for more than 5 seconds. • Powers down the DVR if held for more than 5 seconds when the DVR is in temporary
power mode, or in shutdown sequence and the ignition is off.
• Press the STOP button to temporarily stop the DVR from recording or playing.
Table 1-8 Front Panel Features
Item Feature Description

Introduction
700-0160 R003 1–9
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.
Figure 1-4 Explorer MX-HD Back Panel
5
3
6
9
2
7
4
8
1
Table 1-9 Back Panel Features
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.
3 1, 2, 3, 4 Four camera input connectors (6-pin)
4 Fan Intake fan with filter and removable cover. See Maintenance and
Troubleshooting, on page 5–1.
5VIDEO
OUT Configurable video output for viewing video.
6 ALARM Alarm input connector for the alarm button and cable (2-pin).
7 AUD IN1,
AUD IN2 Audio input connectors with power mapped to Audio Channels 1 and 2 (4-pin).
8 POWER Power input connector (4-pin) for connecting the power harness.
9 ETHERNET
(Gigabit) Ethernet port with RJ-45 connector for connecting to HD Camera or LAN. Ethernet is used to connect either to a POE Injector for a CHW HD Camera, PC,
or Smart-Reach wireless bridge and other equipment.

Introduction
1–10 700-0160 R003
1.3.3. Trackball mouse
Many other USB mice will also work with the DVR.
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 • Delete a character entered into a field.
• Perform the function of the Back button.
4 Moves the cursor around the screen.
1
23
4

Introduction
700-0160 R003 1–11
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. See also:
Explorer MX-HD DVR Install and Setup Guide, 700-0159
vMax View User Guide, 700-0137
The following table shows which methods support video configuration, playback, and
archiving.
To do this… Use...
On-screen display
with monitor and
trackball mouse
vMax Web
remote access
with Internet
Explorer
DVR Hard
Drive Interface
& vMax View
Configure the DVR menu settings. 
View live and playback recorded analog camera video with
single channel view or multiple views.

Playback recorded HD camera video in single channel view
or with multiple views. x
Search for video from a Segment, an Events list, or by time
and date.

Archive video to .avr file format. 
Archiving options — each individual channel can be
archived as an .avi file and individual images saved to .bmp
or .jpg files


Introduction
1–12 700-0160 R003

DVR Operation
700-0160 R003 2–1
CHAPTER 2
DVR Operation
This chapter provides information and procedures for operating the MX-HD. This
chapter contains the following sections:
Remove and Replace the DVR Hard Drive, on page 2–2
Search, Playback, and Archive Video, on page 2–2
vMax View and the Hard Drive Interface, on page 2–3
On Screen Display Access, on page 2–4
Using the Search Function, on page 2–8
Using the Archive Function, on page 2–11
Copy to USB, on page 2–13
Using One-Touch Download, on page 2–14

DVR Operation
2–2 700-0160 R003
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.
To remove the hard drive:
1. Insert the hard drive key.
2. Turn the hard drive key counter clockwise by ¼ turn until the hard drive lock is in
the unlocked position.
3. After the red HDD LED is off, gently pull out the hard drive.
To replace the hard drive:
1. Slide in a hard drive until the cartridge seats inside the front panel.
2. Insert the hard drive key, turn clockwise by ¼ turn until the hard drive lock is in
the locked position.
2.2. Search, Playback, and Archive Video
The HD camera output is visible from vMax Web and vMax View, but not in the DVR
onscreen monitor view. To search, playback, and archive recorded video, use one of
three methods:
vMax View and DVR hard drive Interface
Remove the DVR hard drive from the DVR, and use the Harddrive Interface and
vMax View software. See vMax View and the Hard Drive Interface, on page 2–3.
On Screen Display Menus
For local video access, connect a portable video monitor to the TL DVR. Use the
trackball mouse to navigate the OSD menus. See On Screen Display Access, on
page 2–4.
vMax Web Menus
For remote video access, use a laptop and the vMax Web browser user interface with
Ethernet connectivity. Video recorded with the HD camera is only available for
playback via vMax Web if the DVR’s Ethernet port is connected to a network. See
vMax Web Remote Operation, on page 3–1.
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. While the DVR hard drive is hot swappable (the drive
can be removed when the DVR is powered up), do not remove the DVR hard drive
while the DVR is recording, as some video segments may not be recorded.
CAUTION: Hard Drive Identification
Notice that the MX-HD hard drive has an identifying label to identify it as for this DVR series.
Placing the MX-HD hard drive in a TL series DVR and vice versa will result in lost data.