Compix 320 Camera - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Kosmic
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2019, 02:11:26 am
content: Hello,Got my hand on a Compix 320 thermal camera. Came with everything carrying case, cables and software. So I installed the software but the unlock code the previous owner wrote on the CD sleeve is not working for me.So I would gladly contact the company to get a new unlock code, but it look like Compix closed down some times ago.I know I'm probably asking in vain, but anybody has some kind of universal code or know where I could get a new code ?

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2019, 09:56:22 am
content: Hi,Sadly I cannot help with a code but I may know why you cannot get the software to work. Some expensive thermal camera software that I use requires an internet connection as it activates the software using a combination of the supplied key code and an activation server that checks that code before providing an activation string for the software. This effectively counters piracy by allowing only one installation of the software to be active. Some softwares also have a licence key transfer process that involves deactivating the current installation to enable another on a different computer.I am not familiar with your specific software but unless it was supplied free with the camera, it often cost a lot of money as an option, so was well protected. If the installation says it needs an internet connection, you can be pretty sure that an activation server is involved. If that activation server goes off line due to the company closing, the software is still operational but new installations cannot be activated.I will look further into this for you later.Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2019, 10:01:58 am
content: Is your camera like the one in the attached picture ? If not, can you supply a picture as I may recognise it under different branding.Is the software called WinTES2 ?Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2019, 10:22:35 am
content: OK I have found the Compix 320 information.https://web.archive.org/web/20080531131303/http://www.compix.com/320.htmI note on the archive of their web site that the software came with the camera as part of the package, but it was also available to buy separately. I suspect it will incorporate an anti piracy process as it was likely very expensive so not to be easily ‘shared’ ! That said, I have no information on that software.I noted that the earlier model 220 used a unique calibration file that needs to be obtained from the Compix data archive if the software is installed on another computer. That is quite an effective anti copying process in itself as the ‘activation’ involves obtaining the unique calibration file for a specific serial number camera.I cannot see mention of such a calibration file for the 320 though. The text is below“Model 220 Calibration Files:In the rare situation that you may be installing your software and camera on a different computer or your calibration file has been corrupted or lost, you may need to download a calibration file from our archives. ”I will do a bit more digging into this range of cameras.Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2019, 10:29:57 am
content: Ok, some other information that may be of use.The Meditherm VET2000 and MED2000 are both the same hardware core as the Compix camera. They use the same WinTES2 software package to drive the camera as well.Pictures of the two Meditherm products attachedMeditherm still exist and may be able to advise who, if anybody, provides Compix 200 series camera support (the 320 is just an upgraded 200 series camera) They will know the camera as the 2000 series but should recognise the WinTES2 software name.https://meditherm.com/index.htmlIt is not beyond possibility that the new IRIS series cameras that Meditherm sell are in fact just updates of the Compix 200 series ...... the format looks similar ! As in weird and bulkyFraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2019, 10:40:25 am
content: BINGO !Meditherm cameras are a newer version of the original Compix 200 and 300 series cameras. They use newer technology cores and the software is now called WinTES3https://meditherm.com/iris_450.htmlMeditherm may be you best source of information on who supports WinTES2 and the earlier cameras. Compix May have just changed their name, the cameras are being made by somebody and it is unlikely to be Meditherm.Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2019, 10:54:05 am
content: More news......Compix became part of Meditherm in 2017 !They are definitely the people to contactFraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2019, 11:02:04 am
content: As a side note,Looking at pictures of the Compix 200 series I would not be surprised to discover that these cameras contain the well known Raytheon/L3 Thermal Eye series of cores. The core series includes the 2000AS, 3500AS, 3600AS and 4500AS. The picture of the Compix 220 I attached above has a familiar look to the lens ..... looks like that of a Thermal Eye 2000AS core.Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2019, 11:10:58 am
content: Meditherm have been partners with Compix for many years.https://web.archive.org/web/20170217094430/http://www.meditherm.com/It would appear that Medutherm acquired Compix. See the Meditherm company history shown on their 2017 page....About Meditherm®Meditherm - Digital Infrared Thermal ImagingMission Statement: Thermography available to everyone in America as standard of care.Guiding Principle: To provide the best possible product at an affordable price.“Know the Company You Do Business With”Medical Monitoring Systems trading as Meditherm was formed in 1991 in Brisbane Australia, in order to provide thermal imaging services to hospitals and other medical professionals.It soon became apparent that there were a number of shortcomings in the industrial IR thermographic equipment that was available to us with respect to clinical use, particularly with the software capabilities of image manipulation, storage, retrieval and report writing. Also many features necessary for industrial use, are not needed for clinical applications, thus contributing to the excessively high, and uneconomic (for many medical applications) cost of the equipment.Meditherm approached the major manufacturers of IR thermography equipment to see if there was interest in modifying their industrial systems to better suit the needs of clinical thermography.We submitted that by removing unnecessary features to reduce the cost would result in DITI becoming economic to a far greater medical market than at present.Only one company was prepared to make design modifications and manufacture a camera to the specifications suitable for our system ----The result is the Meditherm med2000™, a unit that makes clinical thermography an economic reality!Meditherm is currently active in daily clinical practice and many areas of medical research.Meditherm provides all levels of support and training to thermographers from technician upwards.Meditherm will continue to build on the experience that has been gained over the last twenty years or more that thermography has been developing as a medical modality, by harnessing the experience of our directors, consultants, associates and the pioneers of medical thermography. We believe that we are in a unique position to supply medical thermographic equipment and the necessary clinical backup, support and training to the healthcare industry.If you have any questions regarding clinical DITI, then please feel free to e-mail us and we will do our best to provide you with whatever assistance we can.History1991- Meditherm formed as a company. Research and development began on an application specific thermography system for medical use due to the limitations of commercially available industrial IR cameras.1992 - Conducted trials using modified cameras made by NEC, FLIR and AGEMA.1993 - Contracted with Compix, in Portland, Oregon to manufacture a proto-type camera under licence.1994 - The first four cameras delivered for clinical use. Trade Mark registration granted for Meditherm and all proprietary materials protected by copyright.1995 - 1998 - Continued to establish a solid company infrastructure focusing on product support, company personnel training and the development of a clinical market for new generation thermography. Regulatory listing applied for and granted from TGA Australia, FDA USA, and CE in Europe. Over a hundred systems sold.1999 - International sales increased with Meditherm selling systems in the UK, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Cyprus, Turkey, Romania, Oman.2001 - Volume of sales justified commencement of regular scheduled monthly training courses. All training courses now conducted under the auspices of the American College of Clinical Thermology Inc. Meditherm forms a strategic alliance with EMI (Electronic Medical Interpretation Inc) to provide a professional online interpretation service that quickly became the world leader in telemedicine.2002 - Meditherm becomes well established as the market leader in clinical thermography with the largest network of thermography systems installed in the world. Regional offices established in London, Stockholm and Brisbane.2003 - The SARS epidemic and worldwide demand for suitable IR systems stretched production and our personnel resources to maximum. Technology and software development was fast tracked in order to supply this demand. As a result we released our new product range early. Our flagship Med2000 system was updated with a new detector and USB connection and Meditherm WinTes software was given added features. The new Med2000 IRIS is a full microbolometer FPA with unique stability and accuracy characteristics that bridge the compromise between sensitivity and speed. This system has unique agile possessing and compensation capabilities and was two years in the development and was launched early due to the SARS crisis. Meditherm installed systems in major airports throughout the middle east and Asia. Our systems are also now used in hospitals and clinics in United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Saudi. We gained a regional distributor in Malaysia who has been proactive in government contracts and has been working closely with our engineers to provide regional support to our products sold in Asia. Meditherm launched two new software products at ACAM in Las Vegas in December 2003.2004- Record sales achieved by mid year. New markets opened in Greece and India. Research institutions currently using Meditherm equipment in trials include Duke University, VA Hospital Durham, UCLA, University of SA, Royal Newcastle Hospital, Princes Alexandria Hospital, University of Uppsala.Meditherm continues to expand in areas of clinical research, technology developmentand sales. Meditherm Inc is a privately owned American company that has never carried any debt.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2019, 11:28:03 am
content: Meditherm in its infancy.They had Compix as a partner to develop a bespoke camera for medical thermal imaging. That camera was the Med2000 that was basically a Compix 220 in a different case and with optics suitable for close range medical inspections. The software was the standard Compix WinTES2 rebranded for Meditherm. Meditherm found success with their Med2000 system and had Compix develop the VET2000 camera for equine use. That camera was just a tweaked Compix 220/221. The software remained unchanged in all but branding details.https://web.archive.org/web/19980508225314/http://meditherm.com/The Meditherm-Compix partnership appears to have been mutually beneficial andcI note that Meditherm retained all rights to their bespoke camera designs created by Compix. It is not hard to imagine that Meditherm eventually decided to purchase a Compix as that assured their continued supply of the specialist Med and Vet cameras.Medical and a Veterinary thermal imaging is very much alive and well so Meditherm still have a healthy market for their products. The flu virus outbreaks have further boosted demand for such ‘medical’ Thermography atcountries parts of entry etc. Equine thermography is another healthy market for such technology.Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2019, 11:40:09 am
content: A comparison of the Compix 220 camera and one that I know for a fact contains a Thermal Eye 2000AS series core. Note the similarity in the lens. There was not much choice of thermal camera camera cores for incorporation in an OEM design in the late 1990’s. The Raytheon Thermal Eye 2000AS became a popular choice amongst ‘screwdriver’ OEM’s. It is reasonable to assume that Compix chose the Thermal Eye cores for their somewhat rustic looking 200 series. They just had to mount the core and write suitable software to interpret the image produced. Hence why these cameras were basically a core connected to a PC as al, functionality was on the PC via the software, and not on the camera itself. A little like our modern Phone dongle thermal cameras.If this indeed the case, there is a Raytheon/L3 GUI that talks directly to the Thermal Eye core from a PC and can control its functions. That path effectively circumvents the need for the Compix softwareTime to open up that Compix 320 cameras case and show us what lives inside..... I strongly suspect we will see a Thermal Eye core and that will be good news for the OP as there are fellow Thermal Eye core users on this forum. They are great cores as they only need power to produce a thermal image in full auto mode and the GUI controls the cores settings via a USB link (on the 3500AS and later models anyway).Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2019, 11:46:49 am
content: I just updated my post above..... I think it may be possible to use the Compix camera without the WinTES softwareFraser

author: Kosmic
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2019, 05:16:42 pm
content: Thank you so much Fraser for the informations and all the research you did. I will contact Meditherm and post some pictures of the camera later today.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2019, 10:49:20 pm
content: No worries. I was pleased to helpFraser

author: Kosmic
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2019, 01:00:50 am
content: So this is the Compix 320 camera.

author: Kosmic
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2019, 01:06:07 am
content: The inside:

author: Kosmic
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2019, 01:11:45 am
content: Look like Compix had a bit of hardware in there. The board where the usb cable is going with the CY7C68015A Chip, was made by Compix in 2007.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2019, 08:57:46 am
content: The core is a Thermal Eye 4500AS. Data sheet attached.This core is designed to be versatile in nature and may be fitted with an OEM's controller board if desired. The core will operate without that OEM controller board present. The controller board is normally used by an OEM to configure a core after boot, provide extended functionality or convert the output image format/content.The integration guide for the 4500AS core is available.Fraser

author: vdeny
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2019, 04:08:17 pm
content: Yea, system board looks very similar to mine 4500AS :-) Try using Software for 3500AS cores and you will be able to modify some of the settings on a camera. Kosmic, can please make a copy of your Software CD and upload to Dropbox or Google Drive, Id like to try it with my 4500AS core if I will be able to access it?

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2019, 04:27:59 pm
content: Kosmic,I am not in favour of software piracy and you have the camera, original disk and key code so are effectively ‘legal’. Some EULA’s do require a new licence to be purchased if a unit is sold but that is something between you and the software rights owner. However ........It might be worth making the software available to this forum so that others can look at the activation process within the code. A circumvention or use of the provided code might be possible. There are some very clever people on this forum. Allowing others to look at the software does not allow its unauthorised use as they do not have the required camera hardware to use it. Food for thought.This is a possible fallback position if you cannot get any joy activating the software through Meditherm.Fraser

author: Kosmic
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2019, 09:28:28 pm
content: So I was able to get in touch with someone at Compix (Via Meditherm). He told me that Meditherm is (as we thought) the parent company of Compix. I also learned that the unlock code is specific to a computer and can't be transferred. So that's why the unlock I had was not working for me.I'm currently talking with them to get a new unlock code. Apparently it's also possible to upgrade to WinTES3.

author: Kosmic
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2019, 09:30:06 pm
content: Quote from: vdeny on October 18, 2019, 04:08:17 pmI doubt it will work. Compix had a custom driver for their camera. You probably need Compix hardware to connect to the software on the PC.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2019, 10:34:23 pm
content: Kosmic,It would be interesting to determine how the software is locked to a specific PC. If it is an off-line installation and activation code, you would have to provide information to Compix that they use to lock the activation code to your PC. This could be as simple as the personal details you enter during installation or the software might contain a “generate code” option that creates a unique code to send to Compix that forms part of the seed for the activation code.Fraser

author: vdeny
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2019, 10:46:15 pm
content: My control board looks slightly different. It looks like Compix modified hardware to suit their needs. Im sure they have their own driver but its definitely a “clone” of 4500AS so Im sure some minor modifying of INI files will detect other 4500AS cores. When you’ll get your Software to work, please make some screenshots. Id like to compare it to original 4500AS Software. Thanks.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2019, 10:58:03 pm
content: Vdeny,The 4500AS, and others in the series, is designed to be versatile. The cores are designed so that they will operate, as configured, in fully automatic ‘stand alone’ mode after power is applied. This could be called a “basic” mode of operation. The OEM provides all required information for a user of the core to add their own control board to drive the core in a particular way, add user controls, add additional functionality or provide a specific data interfacing capability. This is what appears to be present in the Compix camera. It is a Compix control board that possibly provides image memory and interfacing to the PC using the Compix proprietary software.If the Compix controller were removed and direct connections made to the core, it would likely behave like any other 4500AS core. That is the beauty of these very versatile Thermal Eye cores...... they are very flexible in how they may be deployed in a product. This is not surprising though as they were designed with the Military, with their varied needs, in mind as a primary customer. The same core could be deployed in weapon sights, recon scopes or surveillance aircraft with only the lens and control board needing to be bespoke to the application.Fraser

author: Kosmic
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2019, 01:18:04 am
content: So Compix is still somehow alive inside Meditherm and they are still supporting their old products. I was able to obtain a unlock code for WinTES2 and they still offer a calibration service.Some screenshot of WinTES2 in action:WinTES2 is principally a framework where you activate and chain plugins.The main view of the Industrial Display plugin.Example of multipoints.Example of Regions.

author: vdeny
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2019, 04:41:19 am
content: Kosmic, great that Compix have not abandoned support and you got your hands on a Software GUI.Thanks for the screenshots for WinTES2 application. Its way different than original 4500AS Software GUI.I believe Compix 320 is very specific to its purposes and will suit your needs. Im also looking for GUI that will allow modifying brigtness/contrast and E-Zoom settings on my 4500AS model.

author: Kosmic
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2019, 01:50:46 am
content: Played a bit with the microscope lens. The magnification factor is impressive but depth of field is (as expected) really limited. Please note that the camera is only calibrated with the default lens but the data is still interesting.The main board of a waveform generator.Close up of a chip on the lower left section of the board.Close up on one of the pin/pad of the chip.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2019, 12:19:18 pm
content: Excellent imaging.You have yourself a really useful thermal camera. I saw that you had a “longer” lens but did not realise that it was a microscope. Excellent capability for electronics. I saw that the camera originally came from an RF module manufacturer so no surprise that they needed a thermal microscope.Have you found a nice stand to mount the unit on for PCB work ? I have purchased photographic “copy stands” for such work and they are perfect for the task. I even used Enlarger units with the head removed and replaced with a copy stand camera bracket option offered by the manufacturer. Very stable and easy to adjust for height.Well done finding this nice camera and for convincing the OEM to help you. It also says something positive about Compix.....many OEM’s can be really unhelpful when it comes to obsolete product information and software, especially if you are not the original purchaser of the equipment.

author: vdeny
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2019, 07:29:06 pm
content: Kosmic, what is the name or part number of second core that’s on your pictures? The one I see is 4525AS and the other one is much bigger on your pic. What is the name or part number of your second lenses?

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2019, 08:02:25 pm
content: Vdeny,The 4525AS is the specific cores designation and not a lens identity. L3 offered the 4500AS series cores with a choice of standard FOV lenses and an option to order custom lenses for specific customer needs. I strongly suspect that the microscope lens is a special order item as I have not seen one listed as a standard option for any Raytheon/L3 core. That lens would have been very expensive !Fraser

author: vdeny
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2019, 08:08:53 pm
content: Im just curious. L3 also had 4512AS & 4505AS. I suppose I have 4525AS. Mine is not marked. It just says 4500AS.

author: Kosmic
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2019, 01:47:32 am
content: Quote from: Fraser on October 21, 2019, 12:19:18 pmFunny that you are mentioning Copy Stand, I was just shopping for oneI quickly realized that my setup was far from ideal. Decided to extend my tripod though. Bought a tripod boom and macro slider. It's cheaper than the copy stand since I already have the tripod. Will see how it goes. Worst case I'm going to buy a copy stand in a month

author: Kosmic
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2019, 01:51:10 am
content: Quote from: vdeny on October 21, 2019, 07:29:06 pmNothing on the lens per se but you can find some info on the old Compix web site:https://web.archive.org/web/20161012192836/http://compix.com/320lenses.htmIt's the l06 lens. Apparently it as resolution of 6 microns.

author: Kosmic
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2019, 02:23:00 am
content: So the camera has 2 modes (calibration?), you can select 250deg or 150deg. Talking about the model number of the microscope lens just made me realized why the 250deg mode was completely offSo the 150deg mode appear to be calibrated for the normal lens and the 250deg mode for the microscope lens.

author: Kosmic
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2023, 07:38:10 pm
content: So my unlock code eventually expired and was looking into fixing that problem permanently by disassembling the exe (Visual Basic app) and debugging in assembly. Trying to understand what's going in in VB from assembly is quite painful. Would have been easier if the software would have been coded in C or C++. Anyway that avenu led nowhere.I ended up realizing you can just change the clock of you PC and use a temp unlock codeYou can use this code to unlock Wintes2: C98KCJW6 expires on 1/1/2020 (just set the clock of you PC before this date before starting the app)

author: jbradford941
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 13, 2025, 06:37:30 pm
content: Hello!.. i have the same issue with the WinTES2 software.. can i ask, did you find a fix?.. i am at a loss, the company does not want to help me because i did not purchase the camera from them so i'm not able to 'unlock' the WinTES2 software.. did you find anyway to unlock the software? thanks!

author: Kosmic
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2025, 09:34:45 pm
content: Quote from: jbradford941 on May 13, 2025, 06:37:30 pmI just set the clock of my PC to 1/1/2019 (disable auto update) and use the unlock code C98KCJW6 in WinTES2.My version of WinTES2 might be different ? I got version 1.00.0030