MxPEG

MxPEG is an audio and video codec developed by Mobotix

VLC supports this codec since version 2.0.1 on all platforms (Windows, Mac & Linux) making use of its implementation in ffmpeg. In contrast to the official MxPEG DirectShow codec for Windows, that supports mxg video recordings, or the official MxPEG ActiveX plugin, that requires the Microsoft Internet Explorer (only available for Microsoft Windows), VLCs ffmpeg implementation is fully cross-plattform compatible.

While mxg video files are auto-detected, live streams require VLC to be run with the option ffmpeg-format=mxg because ffmpeg does not auto-detect mxg codec in live streams.

Usage Examples

mxg recordings

Simply open the file with VLC.

Live Streams

• Microsoft Windows:

vlc.exe --avformat-format=mxg "http://<USER>:<PASSWORD>@<IP>:<PORT>/control/faststream.jpg?stream=MxPEG"

• Mac OS:

$ VLC.app/Contents/MacOS/VLC --avformat-format=mxg "http://<USER>:<PASSWORD>@<IP>:<PORT>/control/faststream.jpg?stream=MxPEG"

• Linux:

$ vlc --avformat-format=mxg "http://<USER>:<PASSWORD>@<IP>:<PORT>/control/faststream.jpg?stream=MxPEG"

• GUI:

Media → Open Network Stream → Show more options. In Edit Options, add ":avformat-format=mxg".

For VLC 2.0.x and older, replace avformat-format with ffmpeg-format.

Specification

For a technical description read http://developer.mobotix.com/docs/mxpeg_frame.html

Other Resources

Feature request and discussion in the VideoLAN forums: http://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=97738