Visix - Dynamic Visual Messaging . . . from anywhere, to anywhere.

AxisTV version 7.0.9 was released on May 7, 2008. Download of the upgraded software is free to every current SMA client. New Content Server and Channel Player orders received at Visix after May 9, 2008 will ship with v.7.0.9 images to minimize deployment configuration requirements and field upgrades.

AxisTV Release 7.0.9 has been created to add new features to AxisTV, enhance existing features in AxisTV and improve the interface performance. It also addresses important bug fixes reported by customers and partners.

► Click here for the full release notes.

► Contact Visix to request 7.0.9 update

Version 7.0 Update

AxisTV version 7.0 was released on February 12, 2008. Download of the upgraded software is free to every current SMA client. New Content Server and Channel Player orders received at Visix after February 15, 2008 will ship with v.7.0 images to minimize deployment configuration requirements and field upgrades.

AxisTV Release 7.0 has been created to add new features to AxisTV, enhance existing features in AxisTV and improve the Web UX look and feel. It also addresses important bug fixes reported by customers and partners.

► Click here for the full release notes.

► Contact Visix to request 7.0 update

Version 6.6 Update

AxisTV version 6.6 was released on May 29, 2007. Upgrades are free to every current SMA client.

Version 6.6 includes two new client-requested features and support tools designed to improve the user experience. New optional features include support for media streaming and video overlay with onboard tuner support. The media streaming support option enables users to schedule a live or pre-recorded media stream to be displayed in a Channel Player content block. This feature provides clients the ability to display endless sources of captivating video content, ranging from internal communications and event information to breaking news, weather and sports.

The release also supports a new video overlay card featuring integrated tuner capabilities. The inclusion of the option is designed to significantly enhance the user experience by integrating tuner control in a browser and provide a simple and cost-effective video source solution by eliminating the need for additional hardware like an external tuner.

► Contact Visix to request 6.6 update

Version 6.4 Update

AxisTV version 6.4 was released on January 12, 2007. Upgrades are free to every current SMA client.

What users will find in version 6.4:

New Features:

Playback Tracking - Basic playback tracking can now be licensed on a per-installation basis. When licensed, playback tracking allows tracking of every playback for a particular bulletin. The playback report for each bulletin can be customized by date range and exported to several popular formats: PDF, XLS, HTML and RTF.

PowerPoint® Animations - The Import PowerPoint® feature now supports conversion to Flash®, which means that some slide and element animation effects in the presentation can be preserved. This option is available only if Flash® players have been licensed.

Turn off Player Transitions - The Configure Channel Players screen now offers a checkbox that disables all transitions on a player (by play mode). This feature is useful in tuning older players for newer versions of AxisTV.

Five new default bulletins have been added to the out-of-the box play lists for both the Content Server and Channel Players.

Feature Enhancements

RSS Date Parsing - RSS feeds can use many different date formats to indicate the publish date. The RSS reader has been enhanced to account for many more date formats in an effort to accommodate many more sources.

Bug Fixes

Text Wrapping - A bug was confirmed with both Event Schedule and News bulletins that involved erroneous text wrapping on Player. The previews might look different than the full size bulletins. This bug has been fixed.

MessageBlox™

Omnilert SMS Gateway for Text Messenger - The MessageBlox™ Text Messenger has been refit to a low-cost SMS gateway provider - Omnilert. As a result, the screens pertaining to Text Messenger configuration have become simpler.

► Contact Visix to request 6.4 update

Version 6.3 Update

AxisTV version 6.3 was released on December 20, 2006. This release includes Content Server and relevant Channel Player support for MessageBlox™ and MeetingMinder™ applications.

This release converts the legacy TEi brand to Visix and addresses minor known bugs. This release was designed for manufacturing.

The next feature enhancement release, v.6.4, is scheduled for general availability on January 12, 2007. Users should consider postponing their upgrade to v.6.3 since there are no new additional features.

► Contact Visix to request 6.3 update

Version 6.2 Update

AxisTV version 6.2 was released on Monday, November 6, 2006. This release includes Content Server and relevant Channel Player support for MessageBlox™ and MeetingMinder™ applications. All new orders shipping from Atlanta, Minneapolis or Buffalo after November 10, 2006 will be configured with v.6.2. Registered SMA and non-SMA clients will receive notice via email on November 7, 2006 with details regarding the upgrade process.

What users will find in version 6.2:

New Features:

On-line license purchase and activation – users can purchase new software features, download and activate online RSS Adapter – users can incorporate RSS data into bulletins and tickers
Multiple deletes in UI – improve efficiency by selecting multiple items and deleting simultaneously
Schedule and automate content layout templates – schedule entire layout changes enhance creative design and minimize image retention
VB Script execution – customize our application through VB Scripting. Incorporate data from virtually any database.
Automated information delivery from AxisTV systems – improves your ability to track potential problems and enables Visix to monitor remotely
Channel Player "Maintenance Mode" – temporarily disable our embedded shell to manipulate the Windows® OS
Channel Player Support – improved Player management with a variety of remote diagnostic tools
Remote script execution for BAT or SQL files

Feature Enhancements

Syndicated newsfeed conversion from AHN to UPI – improves the quality of automated news

Bug Fixes

Random AxisTV ticker disappearance
Accurately flip Video Window Option inputs – composite and S-Video
Correct documented typographical in Channel Player UI
Correct the failure of the VWO to save input settings on reboot
Improve Binary Storage purge automation

► Click here to request 6.2 update

Version 6.0 Update

Version 6.0 was released for production on August 1, 2006. All new orders shipping from either Atlanta or Minneapolis in August will be configured with v.6.0. Registered SMA and non-SMA clients will receive notice via email on August 4, 2006 with details regarding the upgrade process.

What is not included in the production release

The production release does not include detailed user or troubleshooting documentation, but does include installation and deployment documentation. The commercial upgrade release will include complete documentation that will be available in print, online and commercially stamped CD's. The upgrade will be downloadable via licensed password. The commercial upgrade release is slated for August 18, 2006.

Forecasted v.6.x updates (October '06 - June '07) will not be pressed into CD's, but will be available online.

Support

It is important to remember that Visix only provides on-demand technical support to Service Level Agreement (SLA) clients.

SMA subscribers can expect trouble ticket response in two hours or less. Non-SMA subscribers will receive responses to trouble tickets as time and resources permit. Tickets are best initiated via the Technical Support section of this site.

Alternatively, clients can choose to schedule remote implementation support 48 hours in advance. This support is billable at $125.00 per hour.

What users will see in v.6.0

Standard Features:

Redesigned tree-based, multi-pane user interface
MPEG-2 CODEC
Windows® Server 2003 support (Ships with XP Pro)
New Server diagnostic tools
Distributed Publishing Server infrastructure
Remote Channel Player management tools
Floating date/time
Windows® firewall support
Faster file transfer (600x faster than 5.x)
Server data purge services
Increased database performance (SQL Server 2005)
Informative supporting documentation
New Web viewer

Support for Optional Features:

Flash® media (licensed native playback)
Enterprise Edition (Active Directory, proxy awareness, media and player grouping and data delivery management)
Text Messenger Publisher (SMS content to cell phones)
RSS Publisher (Convert play list content to RSS strings)
Digital Picture Frame Player (Still image updates via RSS)
Desktop Messenger (Deliver content to individual desktops)

► Click here to request 6.0 update

Version 5.5.x Update

Developers and programmers have been working since November 2004 to completely rewrite the AxisTV application. Previous 5.x..x releases incorporated legacy code dating back to 1999. With the exception of the user interface, due to be upgraded in June 2006, version 5.5.x is based on completely new code.

It is important to note that version v.5.5.x is not considered an upgrade. Since the release of v.3.0.1, there have been 16 upgrades. The new architecture will support the planned release schedule for the next 36 months. The current release, as of March 20, 2006 is v.5.5.5.

Release history and schedule:

1. New system orders for v.5.5.x began shipping the week of October 10, 2005
2. New “upgrade” orders for v.5.5.x began shipping the week of October 24, 2005.
3. Version 5.5.x began shipping to SMA subscribers the week of November 14, 2005. Length of term of SMA subscription will determine the order in which the new software will be sent out, starting with the longest-term subscriptions. Version 5.5.x will be sent out on CD.
4. Version 5.5.4 available February 13, 2006.
- There was one known bug related to video window playback addressed in subsequent release.

5. Version 5.5.5 available March 21, 2006

What users will find in v.5.5.x:

Architecture – Content created in or uploaded to the Content Server will be pushed to the relevant Channel Players versus the previous pull distribution architecture. This technique will further reduce Content Server workload making network bandwidth the only delivery limitation.

File size transfer – New SmartClient™ tools have been added that enable large file size uploads via the Web. Content size is limited only by storage space on the Channel Player and Content Server rather than available memory.

Graphics – Users will notice a number of graphical changes:

1. Sectional transitions - using online creation tools, text can be animated to “fly in” from the top, bottom, left or right
2. Large files – from the “library” files of virtually unlimited size can be uploaded for playback
3. Thumbnails – rendered primitives provide a preview of actual creations
4. New transition engine – New transitions to be released quarterly

Three new software applications – Standard Server, Professional Server and Channel Player.

Standard Server application – Standard Server enables an infinite number of authorized users to create, upload, manage and deliver dynamic visual content out to two Channel Players. Users will receive a free weather plug-in and a have access to a host of options that include the popular Screen Saver application, graphic link, event schedule, syndicated data feeds and more.

Professional Server application – Professional Server delivers everything in Standard Server, but is optionally scalable to 50 Channel Players and includes free graphic link, event schedule display, additional play lists and additional craw lists. Professional Server also supports the new line of MeetingMinder™ room signs and display device control.

Channel Player Application - The new Channel Player application is custom embedded in Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional. The new application provides increased security and better display engine performance. The application supports a variety of media formats supported in previous releases including 15 types of graphics, AVI, MPEG-1, Windows® Media Video files and new animated message bulletins.

The new application delivers unsurpassed security:

1. Removes the Windows® shell and offers an intuitive GUI for installation and configuration.
2. Supports static or dynamic IP addresses
3. Offers remote control and status API exposed via TELNET
4. Accommodates Windows® firewall
5. Dramatically simplifies installation and remote implementation

Things to consider:

1. Version 5.5.x requires at least two PC’s. Previous releases included support for Lite (all in one) systems. The new architectural design will not support this approach, but enable Lite users to add up to two players with a Standard Server implementation.
2. This is not an upgrade. This is a completely new application that treats visual image generation differently. Images and databases created in previous versions of AxisTV cannot be imported into v.5.5.x. Original content created in other applications (i.e. PhotoShop®) can be uploaded into v.5.5.x.
3. Minimum PC requirements. If users choose to install v.5.5.x on existing Lite machines we suggest that you convert the Lite to a Channel Player if you are utilizing a widescreen video card (Pixel Perfect or Matrox). If you are using only the 4:3 output then the Lite can be converted to either a Channel Player or Content Server.

► Contact Visix to request 5.5.x update