 |
The "WolfVision Connectivity Software" is supplied with all WolfVision Visualizers and Cameras with USB or LAN port. The latest version is also available as a free download from the WolfVision homepage.
The software is mainly used for (auto) saving still images and movies from a Visualizer on a PC. Furthermore it can be used for firmware updates, remote controlling and printing purposes. |
The description on this page applies to version 1.5 of the Connectivity Software for Windows 2000, XP and Vista.
(A Macintosh version of this software will be released at a later date. Version 3.1 of the USB Software for Macintosh has similar features, but does not yet support LAN connections and the camera EYE-12.)
Working With Up To 20 Visualizers or Cameras Simultaneously
 |
|
The Connectivity Software can work with up to 20 WolfVision Visualizers or cameras at the same time. The units can be connected via USB or LAN.
The software provides an easy way to switch between the detected devices. |
Fast & Easy Firmware Updates
WolfVision is the only manufacturer of Visualizers with upgradeable firmware. This allows new features and technical improvements to be added at no additional cost.
 |
Firmware Updates are even quicker and easier than ever before when using the latest version (1.5) of the WolfVision Connectivity Software.
In the "Connect to"-window (see left) all WolfVision units connected via LAN or USB are listed with the current firmware version.
The software checks on the Internet if a firmware update is available and marks all units with outdated firmware. |
Only 4 mouse clicks are necessary for selecting all units, downloading the latest firmware files from the Wolfvision homepage and updating all units.
 |
Updating one unit just takes 2-3 minutes.
Up to 20 units connected via LAN can be updated simultaneously in less than 10 minutes.
A user never needs to worry about finding the right update file. It is impossible to upload the wrong firmware.
WolfVision Visualizers and cameras have a "safety rollback function ": Even if there is a connection or power loss during the firmware update process the unit will not be damaged. It will only be set back to the previous firmware version. So the worst thing that can happen is that the Firmware Update process will have to be repeated. |
 |
Using the "Check for Firmware Updates" function, all current Firmware Update files can be downloaded from the Internet onto the hard disc of a laptop.
After that the laptop can be carried around to update various Visualizers or cameras. Using this update method no internet connection is required during the update process.
|
 |
When updating a large number of units, Visualizers with LAN port are much more comfortable. Because an administrator can update all units in a very short time without even leaving his desk. |
Fast & Easy Update of Connectivity Software
 |
A very comfortable way to update the Connectivity Software itself is to use the "Check for Connectivity Software Updates" function. The software checks on WolfVision's homepage if a new version is available, downloads a small update file and updates the program quickly and easily. There is no need to deinstall the previous version.
|
Using a Visualizer as a Scanner
 |
|
The WolfVision Connectivity Software can be used for capturing still images from a Visualizer and camera and saving them on a PC.
A WolfVision Visualizer has two important advantages over a standard scanner for a computer: It can pick up 3-dimensional objects and scanning can be done in a fraction of a second. This makes the Visualizer a perfect tool for scanning a large number of images very quickly and easily. |
The native resolution of a picture scanned with a Visualizer is 1280 x 960 or 1024 x 768 pixels. This is a perfect resolution for displaying images on a computer monitor (e.g. on a website or in a Power Point presentation).
If the scanned image is to be printed, the maximum picture size is as follows:
When printing with a standard office laser printer
(pixel matrix of the image = 150dpi):
Max. 217 x 163mm (8.5" x 6.4") using a Visualizer with 1280 x 960 pixels
Max. 173 x 130mm (6.8" x 5.1") using a Visualizer with 1024 x 768 pixels
When printing with professional printers
(pixel matrix of the image = 300dpi):
Max. 108 x 81mm (4.3"x3.2") using a Visualizer with 1280 x 960 pixels
Max. 87 x 65mm (3.4"x2.6") using a Visualizer with 1024 x 768 pixels
Twain and WIA Driver
When installing WolfVision's Connectivity Software a Twain driver (Windows 2000 and XP) or WIA driver (Windows Image Acquisition for Windows Vista) is automatically installed.
"Twain" and "WIA" are standard Windows drivers for scanners. It allows a user to scan a picture from the Visualizer in almost every image processing software (such as Adobe Photoshop, Corel Photo Paint, Image Ready etc.), without using the WolfVision Connectivity Software.
Twain and WIA drivers can also be used for connecting a Visualizer to an interactive whiteboard (such as a "Smart Board").
Video Capture Driver
The WolfVision Connectivity Software supports the standard "Video Capture Driver" of Windows 2000 and XP, which can be turned on in the preferences window.
The "Video Capture Driver" is like a "Twain driver for live video".
You can view, edit and save live images from the Visualizer on your computer in almost every modern video editing software (e.g. Windows Movie Maker, Adobe Premiere etc.) or you can use the live video stream in a video conferencing software like Netmeeting.
Recording Video Files (AVI)
 |
The WolfVision Connectivity Software can record video files and store them in AVI format.
It can also be used for "frame by frame" recording in order to record animated video clips. |
|
The Connectivity Software can use nearly all codecs (video compressors) installed on the computer. For example a standard Windows XP installation comes with about 10 different codecs for the Windows Media Player (WMF, MPEG etc.).
Most additional codecs added by other windows applications (for example video editing software/hardware) can be used as well. The video resolution and detailed settings of the used codecs can be adjusted in the preferences window.
(Among the standard Windows codecs WolfVision recommends the "Indeo Video" codec to achieve best results regarding quality and performance. In the Properties the option "quick compress" is recommended.) |
Auto Save Function / Timer / Auto Filename
 ...
With the Auto Save function images can be saved with just one click on a pre defined key or on the monitor icon. Settings like filename, file format and compression can be pre-defined in the preferences dialog.
There is also a Timer which can be set to save an image every ... seconds. This can be used to automatically log a presentation made with a Visualizer or to make some fast scans without touching any key at all.
The Auto Filename function can be used if the user does not want to be asked for a file name after the "auto saving" of a picture. A user defined file name can be entered and the software automatically adds a continuous number (1, 2, 3 ... etc.) to every saved file. The software can also create its own unique file names in the format of "Device ID + date + time". |
|
Printing
 |
The Connectivity Software can also be used to quickly print the current image from the Visualizer. |
Advanced Visualizer Remote Control
 |
The remote control for the Visualizer displayed on the computer is very similar to the infrared control of the unit. The screen control allows users to work with a familiar interface on the computer screen.
The user can choose between two dynamic remote control layouts: a WolfVision layout and a windows toolbar layout.
In the preferences dialog the user can choose which keys he wants to see on the on-screen keypad |
Full Screen Mode
 |
The image of the Visualizer can also be displayed in full size on the computer monitor (without menu bars, task bars or other Windows elements). |
Preferences Dialog
In the Preferences windows the user can preset the software according to his own requirements.
Click on the images below to view the available settings in detail.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
(preferences of EYE-12)
|
(preferences of VZ-9plus)
|
Please note that some features listed in the "capture preferences" like variable JPG-compression and multicast/motion-JPEG are only supported by WolfVision
Visualizers and cameras introduced after July 2007 (like EYE-12).
Text in Video / Text in Image
User defined text with variable fonts, sizes and styles can be added to still images or video files. It is also possible to add date and time.
New Technology
WolfVision's Connectivity Software is based on the popular Microsoft.net technology.
Click here for downloading the latest version of the WolfVision Connectivity Software for Windows or Macintosh |
