Overview

MaxColor Series Encoders and Decoders generate an MJPEG video stream that can be viewed in a web browser or displayed within a control system interface. The stream provides motion video without audio at resolutions up to 1280 × 720 and frame rates up to 30 fps.

The MJPEG service provides two viewing options:

• Video Stream: A continuously updating MJPEG video stream.
• Snapshot: A single JPEG frame captured from the MJPEG service.

Before You Begin

• Identify the IP address of the MaxColor Series Encoder or Decoder.
• Confirm that your PC or control system has network access to the device.
• Confirm that the device is running MAX v3.5.2 or later.

If you need help connecting to the device, refer to How to Access a Device.

View in the webUI

1. Open the webUI of the MaxColor Series Encoder or Decoder.
2. Select the Video tab.
3. Locate the ImagePull Current card.
4. Enable Auto Refresh to update the embedded preview automatically.

Two additional viewing options are available below the preview:

• Select Snapshot to open a single JPEG frame from the MJPEG service.
• Select Stream to open the MJPEG video stream.

Access the Video Stream

Enter the following address into a web browser or control system. Replace [device-ip] with the IP address of the MaxColor Series Encoder or Decoder:

http://[device-ip]:8080/?action=stream

For example, the MJPEG video stream from a Decoder with the IP address 172.27.1.1 is available at:

http://172.27.1.1:8080/?action=stream

Access a Snapshot from the MJPEG Service

The MJPEG service can return a single JPEG frame instead of a continuously updating video stream. This endpoint uses the MJPEG service settings and is separate from the configurable pull.jpg Image Pull snapshot.

http://[device-ip]:8080/?action=snapshot

For example, the MJPEG snapshot from a Decoder with the IP address 172.27.1.1 is available at:

http://172.27.1.1:8080/?action=snapshot

Default Settings

Setting	Default
Enabled	Yes
Resolution	640 × 360
Frame Rate	30 fps
Maximum Bandwidth	5 Mbps
Audio	None
Network Port	8080

Configure the MJPEG Stream

MJPEG stream settings can be changed through Telnet or the CLI in the device webUI. Native configuration controls are not available on the Video tab.

The following command applies the default stream settings:

astparam s ss_stream_option 640,360,30,5000,0,10
astparam save
sleep 1
reboot

Use the following syntax to change the resolution and frame rate:

astparam s ss_stream_option {$WIDTH},{$HEIGHT},{$FPS},5000,0,10
astparam save
sleep 1
reboot

Parameter	Default	Maximum
{$WIDTH}	640	1280
{$HEIGHT}	360	720
{$FPS}	30	30

Examples

Configure the maximum supported resolution and frame rate:

astparam s ss_stream_option 1280,720,30,5000,0,10
astparam save
sleep 1
reboot

Configure a lower-bandwidth 320 × 180 stream at 10 fps:

astparam s ss_stream_option 320,180,10,5000,0,10
astparam save
sleep 1
reboot

Troubleshooting

The MJPEG stream can help determine where a video issue occurs within a MaxColor Series system. Begin by viewing the stream from the Encoder, then compare it with the stream from the Decoder.

Encoder

On an Encoder, the MJPEG stream captures the HDMI video after it enters the Encoder and before it is transmitted over the network.

• If the Encoder stream is clean, the source and Encoder HDMI input path are working. Continue troubleshooting the network, Decoder, and display side.
• If the Encoder stream shows the same issue as the display, troubleshoot the source, HDMI cable, EDID, HDCP, and Encoder HDMI input before evaluating the network or Decoder.

Decoder

Decoder stream behavior depends on whether an active HDMI display is connected.

• When an active display is connected, the stream represents the HDMI output being sent to the display. It will generally show the same video as the display and cannot independently confirm the condition of the incoming network video.
• When no active HDMI connection is present, the stream represents the video received from the network.

To use the Decoder stream to evaluate the network video:

1. Disconnect the HDMI cable from the Decoder, or disconnect power from the display so that no active HDMI connection is present.
2. Reboot the Decoder while no active HDMI connection is present.
3. View the MJPEG stream from the Decoder.

• If the Decoder stream is clean, the network video is reaching the Decoder correctly. Troubleshoot the Decoder HDMI output, HDMI cable, display input, EDID, and HDCP.
• If the Decoder stream shows the issue, compare it with the Encoder stream. A clean Encoder stream and incorrect Decoder stream indicate an issue within the network video path or Decoder processing.