1. Is it possible to operate DiREX-20 in the car or with a separate battery?

Yes. An optional car power adapter (with very high efficiency, input voltage 9...18VDC) can be ordered, which can be used also for the battery operation (12V). Order-number: KFZ-5V. The full description of all availaible accessories can be found at our Accessories Page.

2. With which kind of internal memory can DiREX-20 be ordered?

DiREX-20 is delivered momentarily in standard configuration with an internal 40GB hard drive (Order-Number: DIREX20.20). If necessary versions with a 80GB or 100GB internal hard drive (from 20 units), or a 8GB flash-drive (for extremely high shock/vibration loads and low energy consumption, about 2W and between 1-2 days of permanently video recording) can be delivered. Appropriate order-number: DIREX20.40, DIREX20.100, DIREX20.F08.

3. How long can DiREX-20 with an internal 40GB hard drive record video signals?

Because picture comparison procedures are involved, no exact specification can be made. It depends very strongly on the intensity of motion in the video field and the usage of the recorder (whether it is recorded for example permanently or event-dependently, with or without limitation of the frame rate etc.).
Under normal conditions in the office or in a sales room (movement with middle intensity, movement-dependent recording) recording length is approx. 3-4 months. From a vehicle (with permanent modification of the background, permanent recording) the recording length can be up to approx. 3-4 weeks. With medium video quality and low frame rate (like a similar time-lapsed analog video recorder) recording time up to one year could be reached.
One should keep in mind that parallel to the video recording running photo recording needs additional storage space.

4. Is it intended that the recorder can be opened by the user, in order for example to exchange the hard drive?

No. Despite the complicated structure of the recorder, is the device is maintenance-free and an intervention into the inside of the DiREX-20 is intended only by the factory. Opening the recorder leads to the forfeiture of the warranty.
If a version with an exchangeable hard drive is needed, please contact us.

5. Is it possible to modify recorded data in the recorder or delete it partly?

No. It is possible to read recorded data or to format the internal hard drive COMPLETELLY. Thus a possible manipulation is substantially made more difficult in relation to conventional similar analogue recording procedures.
As soon as the fixed disk is full, with activated ring memory mode old data are deleted automatically during the current recording in very small portions (few minutes), in order to have room for new data. Therefore the fixed disk remains always almost full.

6. Is it possible to export recorded video data in a usual format, e.g. AVI?

For video it is not intended at the moment. Photos can be stored in the JPEG format.
Selected segments can be stored on the PC in our own MSV format: This allows not only video scenes with time/date stamp to be stored of each of the four channels in full resolution, but also for each channel: photos, various events (level of activity, power failure, PC access etc.) and also the serial number of the recorder and the fixed disk (as proof of origin).
Stored MSV files can be played either with the provided MagicStore software or with the playing software "MSViewer". The latter can be burned for example also on the CD or DVD, which contains the MSV-files for passing on or archiving. Thus, on CD (depending upon the image quality and key frame period) from 4 to 7 hours video can be stored.

7. Why cannot a key "printing" or "screen save" be found in the MS-software, or in other words why does the user interface not looks as one is accustomed to from Windows?

The MagicStore software is constantly improved and further developed. We consider all improvement suggestions, which are expressed by our users. The current appearance of the software was developed in a very close co-operation between our developers and our customers (in particular authorities), that already use the recorder in different applications since a considerable amount of time. It is our target to offer not only a product which is outstandingly suitable for a very broad application scope, but also to supply a system , which remains convenient at the same time. For this reason the display surface is used as widely as possible, and no keys with incomprehensible symbols and no nested menus are used. Additionally, if the mouse pointer points to a symbol and is itself not moved, after few seconds the pertinent assertion is shown. Therefore there is practically no need for a manual, in order to be able to operate the recorder. Recording future improvements the user is not to be exposed to unnecessary control elements.
Since the software runs under Windows®, available Windows Tools can be used for the picture storing. In order to store the whole screen contents in the Windows buffer, the key "Print-Screen" must be pressed. By pressing the combination of keys "ALT" + "TAB" it will be switched into the Windows mode (without leaving MS-software, i.e. the connection to the recorder remains) and there the picture can be saved in any image processing program (e.g. with "Start\Programms\Utilities\Paint") or be continued to be processed.
So e.g. during the evaluation of the recorded data several screen Shoots can be stored (without leaving the control program), namely where the user can assign. The photos can be stored directly during playback as JPEG files.

8. Is it possible to copy recorded video data on a video tape?

Yes. Either a graphic card with a video output can be used for this purpose, or (e.g. for a Notebook) an external VGA -> video converter (with video and s-video PAL/NTSC outputs) can be ordered. Order-number: PC-TV.

9. If the recorder is used only for the high-resolution photo recording, which frame rate can then is achieved?

In order to shorten the operating time of the photo creation, the video quality or the size of the video field must be reduced. With a maximum photo size (704x576 pixels) and highest photo quality, about one photo per second can be created. With a somewhat lower quality and case-specific size up to two photos per second can be created.

10. Why does DiREX-20 have an Centronics interface and no USB or Fireware etc. and why are operating systems such as MacOS, Unix etc. not supported?

One of the objectives with the development of the recorder was to build a device with the best price/performance relation. Since the end user needs finally a system "computer + recorder", it should be avoided that a new computer must be bought, in order to configure the recorder and to be able to view recorded data. With that selection of the operating system the most usual systems and the most usual cut interface were therefore selected. The system requirements are minimal, i.e. a computer with Windows95® (or higher) is needed. A PC, which is older than four years, does not possess necessarily a USB interface, but an Centronics interface (for printers). It must support however the EPP mode, which can be normally adjust in BIOS.
For notebooks w/o EPP-interface we offer an optionally PC Card (PCMCIA) -> EPP adapter. Order-number: PCCRD-EPP.
"MSViewer.exe" can be start under VirtualPC® at Macintosh (minimum G3 400Mhz required) for playbacking of MSV-files. It means, that a burned CD-R with MSV-files and a MSViewer software is multi-OS compatible.

11. Are the alarm inputs floating and what kind of cameras can be used with DiREX-20?

All four alarm inputs are floating. For alarm inputs RCA connections with insulating washers are used. It is not recommended to connect it with mass. It's better to use just an external contact.
Any colour or mono CCTV cameras with a FBAS-output can be used with our recorder. Because it's not necessary to synchronize the cameras, cameras without external synchronize-input can be used also. It have just to be checked if all video-inputs have a same voltage level, about 1Vss. It is very important to switch off the recorder and cameras before connecting them, especially if different power sources are used.