Red Hen Systems, Inc - Media Mapper

Media Mapper
Who Should Use It
Applications
Software Features
Sharing Maps
Making Media Maps
Making Media Maps with Video
Compatible Cameras
Compatible GPS Receivers
Examples

About Media Mapper

What Is It?

MediaMapper is a desktop mapping software that links pictures, real time video, and any other type of file to GIS map layers.

MediaMapper creates "media maps" that you can use in ArcView GIS, MapInfo Professional, or on the web. Media maps include layers for GPS tracks, waypoints, and locations of interest linked to multimedia files.

MediaMapper is the mapping solution for GIS users who want a fast, easy way to link photographs, video (real time or clips), or other multimedia files to map locations.

MediaMapper is an automated data collection, processing, and reporting system that enables you to easily show "what" was "where."

Get More From Your GIS With Media Maps

A media map is an interactive, computerized map created by MediaMapper software on your PC. MediaMapper uses digital pictures or video and GPS data to make a media map. It lets you store and review information about locations of interest, in any kind of file or any number of files. You can review any kind of information available for a location just by clicking on the map.

Software Features

What's new in 4.0? Click here for a comparison to 3.0 - we've added an amazing number of new features, including:

Integrated GPS MediaLink (GML) functionality - users of the original GML will enjoy the ease of adding digital stills and GPS data without running a separate program. Additionally, you can bring in "just the GPS track" if you like. MediaMapper will now import track logs and waypoints right from your supported GPS receiver.	New HTML export functionality - You don't have to be a web designer to click a couple of buttons and output your entire media map to HTML. The exported files retain their multimedia links. If you happen to know a little HTML and something about stylesheets, you can make your exported "spatial multimedia" web site look just the way you want it to! It's all customizable, and it's surprisingly easy to do.
The Media Browser - Now the standard Layer Browser is enhanced with thumbnail images of your digital photos and video image captures! You'll always know which picture is linked to which location.	Send the map to your GIS - The new "Send to..." option will package up the whole media map and launch it in your MapInfo Professional or ArcView GIS. Multimedia toolbar extensions give you access to the pictures, video clips, and documents you've linked to the map.
Increased Digital Video support - Our DV captures can now be accomplished at full resolution! This functionality is recommended for users of progressive scan DV cameras.	Azimuth Feature Construction - Need to mark a distant object but don't have a laser rangefinder handy? Easy. Just get the azimuth to the object and take pictures at two locations. We'll help you add a map feature at the intersection. The new feature has range and azimuth data, as well as your photos linked!

And features that already made MediaMapper an impressive multimedia mapping system:

"No cables" collection method for georeferenced digital still photos	Index GPS data automatically from video or digital still images
Create map layers for features, stored views, or GPS indexes	Place map features to mark sites of interest anywhere on the map
Design your own map feature symbol library using TrueType fonts or .bmp images	Link as many multimedia files to a map location as you need
Review your data by clicking map features to... Display still images Open files or other documentation Change feature attributes Advance the videotape to the location Play captured video clips or sound files Start applications	Works with video capture cards to let you... Capture video clips Capture still images (batch or individual) See real time video playback on screen
Imports CADRG/ADRG	Multimedia review toolbar extensions retain MediaMapper review functionality when you use exported layers in MapInfo Professional and ArcView
Layer browser organizes layers and features for easy accessibility and layer management	Opens MapInfo and ArcView layers
Distance tool measures distance and bearing between locations	Processes linked images during HTML export to optimize file sizes
On screen real time GPS data review as video plays	Exports interactive HTML maps, allowing you to share your maps on the Internet or CD
Inspect GPS data for any individual index point or map feature	Conveniently relocate map features by click and drag
Zoom layering allows you to customize which layers are visible at any zoom level	Controls video camera play, fast forward, rewind, pause
Create any number of map layers for different types of features, choose visibility and selectability options for each layer	On screen cursor shows locations in captured video clips
Runs EZdiff to differentially post-process GPS points for VMS 200 data	Drawing tools for polygon or polyline features
Georegisters raster images	Customize index point and map feature styles
Displays compass and range information if data is available	View map layers with or without labels, customize label styles
Creates map layers compatible with MapInfo Professional, MapInfo ProViewer, or ArcInfo

Sharing Maps

MediaMapper creates maps that are compatible with popular GIS systems

We understand our customers' need to share data with other people, offices, or organizations which may have widely varying capabilities and software. To provide the fullest data transfer capabilities to our users, we've incorporated the most versatile and popular ways of sharing data.

MediaMapper opens tables, shapefiles, and geosets, and it exports the following file types.

MapInfo Professional, MapInfo ProViewer

MediaMapper creates map layers in MapInfo table (.tab) format. Captured still images, video clips and feature documentation are linked automatically. A "plug-in" extension gives you feature inspection buttons to use in MapInfo Professional, enabling still image viewing, associated file opening (such as notes or a spreadsheet), or video clip viewing.

MediaMapper creates geosets (.gst), and for those who need to share maps with MapInfo ProViewer users, you can export a workspace file (.wor).

ArcView GIS

MediaMapper exports map layers as shapefiles (.shp). Captured still images, video clips and feature documentation are linked automatically. A "plug-in" extension gives you feature inspection buttons to use in ArcView, enabling still image viewing, associated file opening (such as notes or a spreadsheet), or video clip viewing.

HTML

When you need to create presentations or provide maps to those who don't have MediaMapper or a GIS program, HTML export makes it easy.

Create a web page or a complete site from your map layers
Pictures and other files are linked automatically
Prep your data for the web quickly and easily
Customize the output with your own stylesheet and image display template
Resize linked pictures for faster web uploading

Who Should Use It?

If your goal involves linking GPS data with other information stored in a multimedia format, MediaMapper is probably the tool you need. MediaMapper makes it easy to link files (any type, any number) to your mapped locations...it georeferences video recorded with Red Hen Systems' VMS 200 GPS hardware¡Kit exports the interactive media map to HTML, Shapefiles, or tables...it georegisters background images...it offers tools that help you customize map layers and views in any way you'd expect from a leading GIS package.

Many MediaMapper users want to link digital photos to their maps. For digital still camera users, a media map is a simple interactive display of all the locations where you took pictures. You can click on locations to review the pictures. MediaMapper puts it together in a completely automated process. You can customize the map with limitless combinations of layers and feature attributes, and you can link other files to your map locations.
Some MediaMapper users need to map a continuous, GPS referenced path with imagery. For these users, we offer our video solution based on our VMS 200 GPS hardware. A media map created from video can be customized in a wide variety of ways to include real time video playback control, multimedia file capture, marking locations automatically, and much more.

Applications

Our users come from a wide range of fields including many of those listed here. Tell us about your ideas and interests; we will help you integrate multimedia mapping to fit your GIS requirements!

State / Local Governments weed control monitoring & liability street info land management new construction planning		Electrical Utilities pole inventories new project planning liability issues
Sewers - Water pipe inspections new line planning inspection Cable Companies new installations user base repair efficiency		Telephone / Communications new installations repair efficiency pole inventories
Defense reconnaissance/surveillance map updates exercises/operations NEO planning range management disaster management		EPA / Superfund watershed management mining management shore/coastline monitoring hazardous waste management disaster management
Parks / Public Lands interactive park maps forest management wildlife monitoring plant/animal biodiversity studies fire management		Transportation road inventories new project planning snow removal liability weed control

Making Media Maps

With Digital Stills

Multimedia mapping with digital still pictures is extremely simple and requires very little setup. All you do is set your GPS receiver to record a track log, take a calibration photo of your GPS unit's time settings screen, then take pictures with any digital still camera. After taking pictures, MediaMapper will download the track log to the computer, and associate GPS location data with each picture.

Why Use Digital Still Pictures In A Media Map

Consider using this method when you need:

High resolution photographs
A smaller camera and GPS
Pictures at separate locations instead of a continuous video record

How To Make A Media Map With Digital Still Pictures

1. Take digital pictures while recording GPS data on a handheld GPS receiver.
2. Take a calibration picture of the GPS time display.
3. Connect the camera/storage card and GPS receiver to the computer.
4. Use the Add Media Wizard to link the images to the locations and create the map. That's it.

When The Map Is Completed

You can do much more with the media map after you georeference the pictures. For instance, you can organize your pictures in multiple layers that you can turn on or off depending on the information you need to see. You can add background map layers in a number of different formats. You can link any number or type of other files to the mapped locations. You can generate an HTML presentation and distribute the media map over the web, or send the map to your GIS program.

Compatible Cameras

Just about any digital still camera will work with MediaMapper. Any digital still camera compatible with DCF (Design Rule for Camera File System). These specifications apply to most available digital cameras.

Compatible GPS Receivers

Media Mapper currently offer direct support for these GPS models:

Garmin All models are supported except the aviation type receivers. Suitablility varies, look for larger track log storage and time periodic track logging.

Recommended:

GPS V (Supports interactive mode) (3000 track points, 500 waypoints)
GPSMAP 76S (5000 track points)
eTrex Vista (3000 track points)
eTrex Legend (2048 track points)
eTrex Venture (2048 track points)

Supported but NOT recommended:

eTrex
eTrex Camo
eTrex Summit
eMap

Magellan Magellan receivers do not support time periodic data logging. They should be used in spatial periodic mode.

Map 330 (requres software version 2.08 or higher, old units may be updated for free)
Meridian GPS
Meridian Gold
Meridian Platinum

Brunton

Multi-Navigation System (MNS) (5000 track points, 1000 waypoints). The Brunton MNS can be used in interactive mode but does not support WAAS.

Silva

Multi-Navigator (MN) (5000 track points, 1000 waypoints). The Silva MN can be used in interactive mode but does not support WAAS.

PixPoint can use log files exported from the following:

Casio
Pathfinder GPS Watch (PAT2GP-1V GPS Satellite NAVI) (400 waypoints). This is a wristwatch GPS, which can be used only in interactive mode.

ESRI

ArcPad running on a PocketPC (supports many types of GPS receivers)

Trimble

Pathfinder Office Software enables the use of any GPS receivers supported by Pathfinder Office including:

GeoExplorer 3
ProXR/ProXRS
TeraSync software used on a PocketPC (usually with a Pathfinder Pocket GPS)
EZMap software on a PocketPC

Red Hen Systems

MediaMapper video index files (.dbf)
GPS Server log files

Other

NMEA log files (.txt) containing RMC, or GGA and ZDA strings

Making Media Maps with Video

Media maps from video give you enhanced multimedia capabilities over maps from digital still pictures. MediaMapper creates video clips and captured images, and links the files to the map locations automatically. It shows a moving GPS cursor on the map when you play the clips, as well as closed-captioning data. The program also gives you full control of your video camera to randomly access any location recorded on the video.

Why Use Video To Make A Media Map

Consider using this method when you need:

A continuous visual record along a route
A continuous record of an event
The capability to access any moment or location for later review

How To Make A Media Map With Video

1. Record video with the VMS 200 GPS unit connected to the video camera. Use accessory equipment if desired (feature trigger or laser rangefinder) to mark locations of interest while recording.
2. Connect the video camera and VMS 200 to the computer.
3. MediaMapper georeferences the entire video recording and creates the map, including features you marked in the field with a feature trigger or laser rangefinder.
4. Use MediaMapper to capture any desired video clips or still images. The captures are linked to their map locations.

Options For Making Maps With Video

The video method makes use of the VMS 200 GPS receiver. This special hardware unit does much more than send GPS data to the video. It also allows you to use accessories for logging different kinds of data.

For instance, using VMS 200 with a feature trigger accessory lets you click a button to automatically mark locations of interest in the field.

You can also use a laser rangefinder with VMS 200. The range and azimuth data is recorded to the video, and MediaMapper will automatically add this information to the GIS database and mark the locations on the map for you.

When The Map Is Completed

The video method gives you access to all of the functionality of MediaMapper, including multimedia capture capability. After your map is completed, simply select locations on the map and let the software create and link video clips or still captures. MediaMapper controls the video camera to find the locations and create the multimedia files. For more control over media captures, the software also allows you to manually direct the process. Then consider enhancing your map with special background layers such as an aerial image or a CADRG/ADRG map. Customize your map features with your own symbol library, or add a drawing and annotation layer for on-screen notes. When you export the media map to a GIS or HTML format, your video captures remain linked to the map for others to view.

Examples(open in a new window)

B-17 Hike

Sculpture

Forestry

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