A 3xLogic Review

[jxk716 0]

A Pro 16 2 TB channel hybrid arrived Thursday, April 19th (purchasable only through an integrator). After some initial setbacks getting the analog PTZ's to move (was plugging the USB to RS 232 converter into a USB 3.0) the tech and sales person from 3x, who made a personal appearance to help, were able to get it going. An RS 485/232 connector was needed for the USB (see my previous post from the 19th regarding this).

 

All other basic operations such as the GUI are extremely user friendly and windows friendly. Search/playback is a snap, their markers and smart search features make searching very quick and efficient; PTZ function is really cool with an easy on screen controller; the DVR software resides on embedded windows XP - full function with that as well. I have their Tower version and my presets only go to 32, not that I need all them, but I am not able to access the PTZ OSD on preset 95. 3x says you can only access their own PTZ's OSD; I have no idea if this is true. There is an option to move the PTZs on screen or on the control pop up box. I set up user controls so that staff can view the cameras but not search or work the PTZs. Security officers sign in during their shift, have full access and I told the system to automatically log the officer off, at shift's end, and log the staff account in. This happens automatically and is a nice feature for forgetful minds.

 

In the link below I captured screen shots of day versus night time motion (just to indicate the amount of motion during the day versus night); a day and night AVI clip directly from the server of their VSX 2MP VD camera (3 FPS, custom Bitrate at 3600, lens set sightly above a 3.0mm) - they are good enough for me. Setting up the IP camera is a breeze and 3x does a nice job explaining how to use their IP Camera set up tool (accessible through the server's help menu) on their instructional video. In fact their videos were most helpful and gave plenty of instruction for initial setup and playback. The other 13 cams are CNB VBM 24 VF, a Veilux PTZ and an Aventura PTZ.

 

 

Please refer to 3x's web page and download the server and client PDF manuals since they (tutorials and screen shots) match exactly what I have received. By the way the remote client is as effective, if not more than the server software. For example I am able to use the digital zoom (for all cams) on the client but not server (except the IP cam). Apparently I need to switch from hardware rendered to software on the server in order to have this capability on all cams. Once in software rendered, live view (on the server) seemed less fluent and more choppy as if the live view rate was 7 FPS. There is no such limitation on the remote client.

 

Their Aztec compression seems to work well. In 14 days (closed weekends and after 8:00 PM - motion examples in linked movie) I am only at 50% of the first TB HDD. This disk savings will come in handy once we migrate over to more MP cams. Overall I would recommend this server to individuals, especially commercial applications, seeking hybrid technology, easy to us software and professional video back up results.

[nDAlk90 0]

Nice review.

 

Post some more screenshots of the MP IP cameras.

[Soundy 1]

Did I tell ya? Vigil is a really nice system.

 

I have their Tower version and my presets only go to 32, not that I need all them, but I am not able to access the PTZ OSD on preset 95. 3x says you can only access their own PTZ's OSD; I have no idea if this is true.

The Presets dropdown in the PTZ control gives you limited listed options, but you SHOULD be able to enter a number directly and hit Goto. Not sure if this will actually work, but it's worth a shot Some cameras also respond to the various buttons under the Menu section.

 

I assume you're running version 6 of the server and client? I've seen some early previews of the V7 client and it's looking even nicer: all the screen elements are becoming modular, so you can show the ones you want, hide the ones you don't, and rearrange them to suit your purposes. I'm told the ultimate plan is to remove the interface from the "server" component altogether, and move all the functions to the client, so you get the same look, feel, and control whether remote or at the console. This would make it more like other VMS systems such as Exacq.

 

Security officers sign in during their shift, have full access and I told the system to automatically log the officer off, at shift's end, and log the staff account in. This happens automatically and is a nice feature for forgetful minds.

I do like that feature - very handy to be able to log in as an admin when we're onsite for service, and not have to worry about remembering to switching the system back to the user account when we leave.

 

Once in software rendered, live view (on the server) seemed less fluent and more choppy as if the live view rate was 7 FPS. There is no such limitation on the remote client.

There IS an option to change the rendered live speed - if you go in the settings where you toggle between Software and Hardware rendering, there should be a checkbox for full framerate on a single view, and a dropdown for live framerate (slow/medium/fast) - when you change that, you get a warning that higher speeds are very CPU-intensive.

 

The reason you can't do ePTZ with hardware-rendered view, and the reason the video is so fluid, is that the analog inputs are basically being piped directly to the video card overlay, rather than showing you the digitized, processed video, which CAN be digitally zoomed. With the client, of course, ALL you see is the digitized video, so it can be fully manipulated. BTW, when you're in software-rendered mode on the server, you can also rearrange the grid layout (right-click an area and select the camera you want to see there), which of course, also won't work with the hardware-rendered display.

[jxk716 0]

Thanks Matt, I was hoping you'd see the review!

 

The Presets dropdown in the PTZ control gives you limited listed options, but you SHOULD be able to enter a number directly and hit Goto. Not sure if this will actually work, but it's worth a shot Some cameras also respond to the various buttons under the Menu section.

 

One of the first things I tried and nothing. However I do get the camera's pattern settings OSD when I go to record a pattern but just not the main menu.

 

There IS an option to change the rendered live speed - if you go in the settings where you toggle between Software and Hardware rendering, there should be a checkbox for full framerate on a single view, and a dropdown for live framerate (slow/medium/fast) - when you change that, you get a warning that higher speeds are very CPU-intensive.

 

Tried this as well with same result. I don't know, maybe it is just a matter of getting used to it. But then again I only have one MP camera. With more I will probably switch over to software so we can zoom in when needed. Right now the analogs get pixelated with anything more than a slight zoom.

[groovyman 0]

Did I tell ya? Vigil is a really nice system.

A couple of years ago when I started doing some research on DVR systems 3XLogic/Vigil was at the top of my list. I thought the system was fantastic and still do. I never ended up purchasing because it's actually too advanced for my needs.

[jxk716 0]

Forgot to mention how 3x's support was awesome! As mentioned in this post http://www.cctvforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=30189 Steve helped tremendously with issues way over my head (like the PTZ hook up and initial DVR settings). He was patient, professional and immediately on the phone with Tech support in Colorado when needed! In fact, in a phone call with Lenny at tech support, he was more than gracious to help me with some advanced features.

 

More credence for a great company!