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epiphan VGA Grid User Manual

A streaming, recording, and multiviewer product that allows you to capture and stream video and audio from up to 256 vga, dvi, hdmi sources, either local or remote
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VGA Grid™

User Guide

www.epiphan.com
Epiphan Technical
Documentation
©2012
Epiphan Systems Inc.
All Rights Reserved
August 2012

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Summary of Contents for epiphan VGA Grid

  • Page 1: User Guide

    VGA Grid™ User Guide Epiphan Technical Documentation ©2012 Epiphan Systems Inc. All Rights Reserved August 2012...

  • Page 2: Specifications

    We welcome your feedback and suggestions for product improvements. You can email your comments to info@epiphan.com. Specifications You can go to the VGA Grid page of the Epiphan website to get information about the VGA Grid. Warranty All Epiphan Systems products are provided with a 100% return to depot warranty for one year from the date of purchase.
  • Page 3 Terms and Conditions This document, the Epiphan web site, and the information contained therein, including but not limited to the text, videos and images as well as Epiphan Systems Inc's trademarks, trade names and logos are the property of Epiphan...
  • Page 4 WITH AMOUNTS WHICH YOU PAID FOR USING THIS PRODUCT. INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS, PROVIDED IN THIS DOCUMENT OR THE EPIPHAN WEB SITE ARE PROVIDED "AS IS." SPECIFICALLY, BUT WITHOUT LIMITATION, EPIPHAN DOES NOT WARRANT THAT: (i) THE INFORMATION IS CORRECT, ACCURATE, RELIABLE OR COMPLETE;...

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Physical Attributes ..................8 System Hardware Features ..............8 3.1.1 VGA Grid Concentrator Hardware Features .......... 8 3.1.2 VGA Grid Remote Acquisition Device Hardware Features ..... 9 Cables, Connectors and Adapters ............11 3.2.1 3.5 mm Mini-jack ................. 11 3.2.2 VGA to DVI Cable .................
  • Page 6 Using Epiphan Portal for Streaming ............. 46 8.3.2 Using Epiphan’s Partners as CDN Providers For Streaming ....50 Setting Up VGA Grid and StreamZilla for CDN Broadcasting ....51 Viewing Streaming Video ..............58 8.5.1 Retrieving the Stream’s URL for Publishing ......... 58 8.5.2...
  • Page 7 Setting IP Address ................. 83 10.3.1 Set the System to use a static IP address ........84 10.3.2 Set the VGA Grid to use a DHCP server ........... 84 11 System Administration ................86 11.1 Setting the Date and Time ..............86 11.2...
  • Page 8 <Table of Contents 22 List of Figures ..................115 23 Configuration Worksheet ................ 120 VGA Grid User Guide...

  • Page 9: Overview

    Supporting resolutions between 640x480 and 2048x2048, this solution is suitable for a broad range of applications including medicine, black box recording, traffic monitoring and simulators. Depending on the model configuration the VGA Grid can capture video and audio from 4 or 6 input sources such as: ...
  • Page 10 For further details on broadcasting strategies, please refer to Streaming. The figure below illustrates how the VGA Grid fits into a network to allow a broadcast consisting of video and optionally audio to be streamed to local and remote viewers.

  • Page 11: Available Product Configurations

    Overview Figure 1 Epiphan's VGA Grid Delivering High Quality Video and Audio to Local and Remote Clients 2.2 Available Product Configurations The VGA Grid can be ordered in the following configurations to accommodate your needs. 4-source VGA Grid This VGA Grid version integrates four DVI2PCIe internal frame grabbers. It offers maximum connection of four DVI/VGA sources collocated with VGA Grid.

  • Page 12: Physical Attributes

    If you need to broadcast or record data from remote inputs you can add a required number of external network frame grabbers to your VGA Grid configuration. It is possible to order any other configuration of VGA Grid on the Customize product page upon customer request.

  • Page 13: Vga Grid Remote Acquisition Device Hardware Features

    VGA Grid Remote Acquisition Device Hardware Features 3.1.2 In order to capture, record and stream vide from remote sources VGA Grid uses the VGA2Ethernet network frame grabbers. For the complete information about this solution please refer to VGA2Ethernet User Guide.
  • Page 14 Connects a DVI source to the VGA2Ethernet using the included DVI cable. To connect a VGA source, use the included VGA to DVI adapter. To connect an HDMI source (non-copy protected content) use the included HDMI to DVI adapter. VGA Grid User Guide...

  • Page 15: Cables, Connectors And Adapters

    Ethernet connection. 3.2 Cables, Connectors and Adapters The VGA Grid can be connected to a number of different types of equipment using a variety of cables, and adapters. This section describes a subset of connectors, cables and adapters that are known to be compatible with the VGA Grid.

  • Page 16: Vga To Dvi Cable

    Figure 5 3.5mm Mini-jack VGA to DVI Cable 3.2.2 Connects a VGA source to either of the VGA Grid’s DVI-I Single-Link ports or DVI-I dual link ports. This cable is included with the VGA Grid (one per DVI-I port) VGA Grid User Guide...

  • Page 17: Dvi To Dvi Cable

    Figure 6 VGA to DVI cable DVI to DVI Cable 3.2.3 Connects a DVI source to the VGA Grid’s DVI ports. This cable is included with the VGA Grid (one per DVI port). Figure 7 DVI to DVI Cable VGA Grid User Guide...

  • Page 18: Hdmi To Dvi Adapter

    Physical Attributes HDMI to DVI Adapter 3.2.4 Connects an HDMI source to either of the VGA Grid’s DVI ports. This cable is included with the VGA Grid. Figure 8 HDMI to DVI Adapter RJ-45 Male 3.2.5 Connects the VGA Grid to an Ethernet network.

  • Page 19: Getting Started

    4.3 Logging into the Web Admin Interface The VGA Grid comes with a Web admin interface that can be used to configure the VGA Grid settings, view the files that have been recorded, and download recorded...

  • Page 20: Epiphan's Network Discovery Utility

    Start a web browser on any workstation connected to the same network as the VGA Grid. Browse to the VGA Grid. http://<ip address of the VGA Grid>/admin The IP address of the VGA Grid can be obtained using any of the following methods: VGA Grid User Guide...

  • Page 21: Users Logging

    It is not possible to create new log in users. The Administrator User 4.4.1 The administrator user is used to log into the VGA Grid and perform any of the following functions: Perform configuration changes to the VGA Grid.

  • Page 22: Web Admin Interface

    Configuring a viewer password is optional. 4.5 Web Admin Interface The VGA Grid comes with a Web admin interface that can be used to configure the VGA Grid settings, create and configure output channels, view the files that have been recorded, and download recorded files. Additionally it acts as a system monitor with options to view the system’s status and VGA Grid’s internal storage...

  • Page 23: Figure 10 Web Admin Interface's Main Menu

    Getting Started Figure 10 Web Admin Interface's Main Menu VGA Grid User Guide...
  • Page 24 Note: You can create different channels and name them as you like. The number and names of the channels displayed on the images simply illustrate one of possible configurations of the VGA Grid channels. “All in one” recorder Records all channels simultaneously in one video file...

  • Page 25: Signal Flow Diagrams

    Info Display information about the VGA Grid Firmware, CPU, Frame Grabber and VGA Mode. Automatic File Automatically copy files from the VGA Grid device to a network Upload storage device. Serial Port Integrate the VGA Grid with other equipment featuring an RS- 232 port and control your device over the RS-232 connection.

  • Page 26: Figure 11 Data Capture Flow

    Signal Flow Diagrams Figure 11 Data Capture Flow Figure 12 Data Recording Flow VGA Grid User Guide...

  • Page 27: Signal Capture

    VGA, HDMI, composite or s-video sources. Any one of DVI, VGA, or HDMI sources would be connected to the VGA Grid using its DVI-I input port. Audio input will be connected to the VGA Grid’s Audio In port. Composite or s-video sources will be connected to the VGA Grid’s analog port.

  • Page 28: Connecting Audio Input Sources

    DVI Adapter should only be non-copy protected content. Connecting Audio Input Sources 6.1.2 All audio sources are connected to the VGA Grid using the audio input port. 6.2 Sources Setup This section explains how to configure the digital and composite sources connected to the VGA Grid.

  • Page 29: Figure 14 Digital Source Setup

    Increasing or decreasing the value entered in the Vertical Shift field shifts the image up or down. Horizontal shift Configure the horizontal shift to offset the captured VGA Grid User Guide...
  • Page 30 Aspect ratio Sets the aspect ratio of the captured image. The default aspect ratio is 4:3. The aspect ratio can be set to wide mode in order that the VGA Grid can accurately capture wide aspect ratio modes. HSync threshold...

  • Page 31: Composite And S-Video Source Setup

    Increasing or decreasing the value entered in the Horizontal Shift field shifts the image to the right or left. Signal Type Select a signal type:  Composite  S-Video Rotate Select a required value to rotate the video while streaming:  No rotation VGA Grid User Guide...

  • Page 32: Remote Source Setup

    If you have connected remote video sources to the VGA Grid Acquisition units (VGA2Ethernet), they are found by the VGA Grid on the network and shown in the Sources section of the Web admin interface. It displays information about the device’s serial number, admin page URL, IP address, videomode and the channels...

  • Page 33: Adding A Network Grabber

    The system is able to search for and find available frame grabbers on the network. There are two ways to add these frame grabbers as new sources to the VGA Grid: Click Add network grabber in the Sources section of the Web Admin interface.

  • Page 34: Channel Setup

    Input Amplifier Volume Reduce the input volume if the line in signal volume is too high for the VGA Grid’s line in amplifier. The default input amplifier volume setting is 100%. If the input volume is too high, change the setting to between 5% and 90% to reduce the input volume.

  • Page 35: Figure 17 The Add Channel Command

    The Video Source Setup section is displayed. Select a source from the drop-down list near the Use video source field and click Apply. All local and remote video sources found by the system in the network are VGA Grid User Guide...

  • Page 36: Figure 18 Naming The Channel

    No signal This channel is not used Serial numbers of the digital frame Video from the selected video source is grabbers installed in your VGA Grid and streamed through this channel remote VGA2Ethernet units are displayed here. Multiple sources...

  • Page 37: Multiple Sources Channel Setup

    The system allows you to configure a layout for the streaming when more than one source is being used. The position and size of each source stream in the channel is adjustable. VGA Grid User Guide...

  • Page 38: Figure 21 Setting Position And Size For Multiple Sources

    Select a check box near the source if you want to add audio signal from this source to the channel. To create and configure a multisource channel: Create a channel as described above and select the Multiple source VGA Grid User Guide...

  • Page 39: Select Video Codec

    ASF can be viewed with the Windows Media Player on Windows systems, and the VLC Media Player on Windows and other operating systems. RTSP supports many media players including QuickTime and MPlayer. 7.4 Set Video Encoding Constraints/Parameters The following parameters can be additionally specified for a channel: VGA Grid User Guide...
  • Page 40 Enter a value in terms frames per second. This field is used to set a frame rate that is lower than the maximum frame rate at which the VGA Grid can capture images. Reducing the frame rate reduces the number of images being captured by the device.
  • Page 41 URLs being used. Table 11 Format Substitutions Commands Command Value date year month (as 01) month (as Jan) month (as January) day of month weekday (as Thu) weekday (as Thursday) time hour minute second VGA Grid User Guide...

  • Page 42: Select Audio Format

    Figure 23 Common Settings 7.5 Select Audio Format The Audio settings pane in the control interface can be accessed by clicking the Stream Setup option from the menu. Select the Enable audio checkbox and specify the audio signal parameters. VGA Grid User Guide...

  • Page 43: Streaming

    Where are the viewers located in relation to the where the broadcast is being streamed? What are the performance expectations? These are the types of questions that will determine the overall design of the broadcast. VGA Grid User Guide...

  • Page 44: Figure 25 Protocol Stack Diagram

    Streaming This chapter outlines how a suitable design of a broadcast can be architected based on these types of questions and their resulting answers and how the VGA Grid can be used in this design. The VGA Grid supports streaming of various standards and formats. The choice of video format will depend on the broadcast content and performance requirements.

  • Page 45: Http Or Rtsp Streaming

    For HTTP or RTSP streaming the only information required to view the broadcast is the URL of the broadcast. The VGA Grid is ready to go straight out of the box, without any additional settings. If your broadcast needs to be accessed by many clients, use a Content Distribution Network as explained in the Using a Content Distribution Network section.

  • Page 46: Figure 26 Peer-To-Peer Connection

    Streaming Flash streaming. The VGA Grid provides about 100 peer-to-peer connections in case of satisfactory bandwidth. Figure 26 Peer-to-peer Connection VGA Grid User Guide...

  • Page 47: Setting Up An Rtp Multicast From Stream Setup

    Setting up an RTP Multicast from Stream Setup 8.2.1 To set up an RTP Multicast, enter the following settings in the channels’ Stream Setup menu item: Select the RTSP/H.264 stream type in the Stream Type field and click Apply. VGA Grid User Guide...

  • Page 48: Setting Up An Rtp Multicast From Publish Stream

    Click the channels’ Stream Setup menu item. Select the RTSP stream type in the Stream Type field and click Apply. Click Publish Stream menu item. Select RTP/UDP Push from the drop-down list. Select the Enable RTP/UDP stream check box. VGA Grid User Guide...

  • Page 49: Using A Content Distribution Network

    If dozens or hundreds of viewers happen to select the same Web page or content simultaneously, the CDN sends the content to each of them without delay or time-out. To stream to multiple users, the VGA Grid can be configured as a client to CDN. Please click http://epiphan.net/cdn-partners.php to view the list of CDN providers preferred by Epiphan.

  • Page 50: Using Epiphan Portal For Streaming

    Select to xxxxx.epiphan.net from the Publish drop-down list where xxxxx is the unique serial number of the VGA Grid. Select Enable publishing and click Apply. The system informs you that stream will be available on the Epiphan’s portal and provides a link. VGA Grid User Guide...

  • Page 51: Figure 31 Url To Epiphan Server

    Epiphan’s CDN partners. Figure 32 System Message in Case of Excessive Bitrate Speed Now connection through the media tunnel is established. The VGA Grid starts streaming to the Epiphan’s portal – epiphan.net.

  • Page 52: Figure 33 Selecting Options For Streaming Through Epiphan.net

    Streaming Figure 33 Selecting Options for Streaming through Epiphan.net There are several buttons available at the bottom of the epiphan.net portal page (see Figure 34 Epiphan’s Portal): Switch to Click this button to select a plugin which will be used for viewing the stream.

  • Page 53: Figure 34 Epiphan's Portal

    Streaming Figure 34 Epiphan’s Portal Figure 35 Plugins Available for Selection on the Portal Figure 36 Code for Stream Embedding VGA Grid User Guide...

  • Page 54: Using Epiphan's Partners As Cdn Providers For Streaming

    Type http://epiphan.net in the address bar of your browser. Enter serial number of your VGA Grid. It is displayed in the Info section of the Web admin interface. Click the Go! button. Using Epiphan’s Partners as CDN Providers For Streaming 8.3.2...

  • Page 55: Setting Up Vga Grid And Streamzilla For Cdn Broadcasting

    By using a CDN, the maximum number of concurrent clients is increased, while at the same time reducing the load on the uplink internet connection. In this section it is explained how to configure a VGA Grid channel to broadcast through StreamZilla.

  • Page 56: Figure 39 Vga Grid Channel Selection

    Streaming 1. Make sure that the VGA Grid system has been properly deployed. 2. Log in to the VGA Grid Web Admin interface. 3. Select Channel 1. Figure 39 VGA Grid Channel Selection 4. In the drop-down menu click Stream setup and select RTSP (H.264 codec) in the Stream type field.

  • Page 57: Figure 40 Stream Setup

    Streaming Figure 40 Stream Setup 5. Open a new tab in your browser and log in to your CDN Manager’s account. VGA Grid User Guide...

  • Page 58: Figure 41 Adding A Live Stream

    8. Select QuickTime in the Stream type field and enter a user name. Then click Next. Figure 42 Stream Type Selection 9. StreamZilla displays a live stream settings window with UDP audio port, UDP video port and Core Server IP address values. VGA Grid User Guide...

  • Page 59: Figure 43 Live Stream Settings

    Streaming Figure 43 Live Stream Settings 10. Leave this window open and go back to the VGA Grid Web Admin interface window. 11. Fill in the fields in the RTP/UDP stream section using the information shown on the StreamZilla window.

  • Page 60: Figure 45 Downloading Sdp File

    14. Go to the StreamZilla window. Upload the SDP file and click Next. Figure 46 Uploading the SDP File 15. CDN Server will finalize the process. Wait a few minutes until live stream setup process is complete. VGA Grid User Guide...

  • Page 61: Figure 47 Finalizing Process

    17. In this window you can generate a code that allows watching your stream anywhere. Check all settings and click the Generate embed code button. Script and http‐link information will be generated. After embedding this script in your website you will be able to watch the broadcast from there. VGA Grid User Guide...

  • Page 62: Viewing Streaming Video

    Retrieving the Stream’s URL for Publishing 8.5.1 In order for viewers to log in to VGA Grid as viewers and view a stream, the administrator must release the URL(s) of the stream. The administrator is able to provide separate URLs for all streams coming in from the local and remote sources connected to the VGA Grid either physically or throughout the network.

  • Page 63: Using The Channel Status Option

    Live broadcast is an URL for the simultaneous stream from video and audio sources depending on channel settings. Direct stream URL is an URL for the broadcast coming from the separate source of the VGA Grid. iPhone/iPad stream is an URL for streaming on iDevices. VGA Grid User Guide...

  • Page 64: Testing How Participants Log In With A Viewer Password

    Using a browser or media player, open the Open URL dialog box and enter the IP, DNS or URL address of the VGA Grid device. For example, if the URL IP address of the device’s stream is 192.168.23.45:552/vga.sdp, then browse to: http://192.168.23.45:552/vga.sdp...

  • Page 65: Viewing A Broadcast On Iphone, Itouch, Or Ipad

    App store. It allows you to log into the device as the administrator user. Refer to Epiphan’s EpiphanTouch App for iPad, iPhone, iTouch section for details. 8.8 Compatibility Information This section provides information on compatibility of video streaming formats, browsers and viewers which is necessary for streaming video.

  • Page 66: Streaming Format/Player Compatibility

    Streaming format/Player Compatibility 8.8.1 The VGA Grid can stream video using Flash (H.264), ASF (MPEG4 or H.264 codecs), Motion JPEG or RTSP (MPEG4 or H.264 codecs). A quick definition of these video streaming methods and the type of application that a viewer would use to watch that particular video stream is now provided.

  • Page 67: Media Player Compatibility

    Media Players and Supported Video Formats Media Player Motion RTSP Flash Video (H.264) JPEG Windows Media Player (v.12) MPlayer (Windows, Mac OS, Linux) QuickTime (Mac VLC (Windows, Mac OS, Linux) The following media players support working with independent streams: VGA Grid User Guide...

  • Page 68: Recording

    VGA Grid. For organizing, recorded video files may need to be renamed. All of these management tasks are available via the VGA Grid’s Web admin Interface.

  • Page 69: Changing File Limits (Time And Size)

    Click Apply. 9.2 Changing File Limits (Time and Size) The VGA Grid can record the channel to one or more files according to time and file size limit parameters. It will automatically create and start recording to a new file whenever either limit is reached.

  • Page 70: Starting And Stopping Recording

    To stop a recording, click the Stop button in the Recorder status section of the main menu. To restart recording to the same file, click the Reset button. The device will append data to the existing file VGA Grid User Guide...

  • Page 71: Viewing The Current Recording

    Click Apply. 9.7 Files Archive The files archive for each channel lists all of the video files recorded by the VGA Grid through this channel that are saved on it. To navigate to the files archive, click the Channel menu option of the Web Admin interface. Then select a required channel and click Files Archive.

  • Page 72: Downloading Recordings

    If you select the Download Selected button, all of the files that you have selected are downloaded in a single zip file. You must unzip this file to view the individual video files. If you have downloaded multiple files, select Continue to return to the Recorded Files page. VGA Grid User Guide...

  • Page 73: Deleting Files

    Deleting Files 9.7.2 The administrator user can delete files from the VGA Grid to free up space on the hard disk. Files can be selected one at a time, or multiple files can be selected to be deleted. Alternatively there is an option to delete all files that have been previously downloaded.

  • Page 74: Recording Video From Multiple Sources On Separate Tracks In A File

    It is assumed that you have multiple sources connected to the ports of the VGA Grid accordingly. The recording is made in one file with separate tracks. To make recording: Select the first channel in the Channels pane of the Web Admin interface.

  • Page 75: Recording Video From Multiple Sources On One Track In A File

    Copying Recorded Files to a USB Flash Drive or to an external HDD 9.10.1 The VGA Grid is equipped with USB ports that can be used to copy recorded data from the VGA Grid to an external HDD or USB flash drive formatted with one partition in one of the following file systems: FAT32, ext3, ext2, ISO 9660, HFS.
  • Page 76 AV service providers that want to provide a copy of the presentation to the speaker before they leave the presentation venue. An HDD or a flash drive can be connected to the VGA Grid any time. To copy recorded files to a USB flash drive: Stick a flash drive into a USB port on the device and press lightly.

  • Page 77: Automatic File Upload

    9.11 Automatic File Upload The automatic file upload feature will automatically copy recorded video files from the VGA Grid to another device on your network. This feature’s page is reached from the Web admin interface’s main menu by clicking on Automatic File Upload.

  • Page 78: Configuring Automatic File Uploads

    2. Set Protocol to FTP Client, RSync Client, or CIFS client depending on what upload server is being used. 3. If the How often option is set to On file rotation, the VGA Grid will upload each video file after it stops recording to it. A file rotation can be forced by clicking Reboot Now button in the Maintenance section.

  • Page 79: Configuring The Cifs Client

    Configuring the CIFS Client 9.11.2 Use the CIFS client configuration to have the VGA Grid behave as a CIFS client connecting to a CIFS server (such as a Windows shared folder) when uploading broadcast files. Different networks may have different CIFS server configurations. If required, contact your network administrator for assistance with getting the System to connect to the server.

  • Page 80: Configuring The Rsync Client

    7. Select Apply. The VGA Grid will then attempt to connect to the CIFS server. The Web admin interface displays messages about whether the System is able to connect to the CIFS server and the status of the connection.

  • Page 81: Configuring The Ftp Client

    Configuring the FTP Client 9.11.4 Use the FTP client configuration to have the VGA Grid act as an FTP client to an FTP server to upload broadcast files. Different networks may have different FTP server configurations. If required, contact your network administrator for assistance with getting the System to connect to the server.

  • Page 82: Testing The Automatic File Upload

    5. Select Apply. The VGA Grid will then attempt to connect to the FTP server. The Web admin interface displays messages about whether the VGA Grid is able to connect to the FTP server and the status of the connection.

  • Page 83: Networking

    Rebooting or Restarting System. If the IP address is changed, the VGA Grid must be removed from the Network Discovery Utility and then re-discovered by selecting Search. Additionally, the System’s MAC address is displayed on the Network Configuration page.

  • Page 84: Default Network Settings

    Networking The next section discusses tools that can be used to discover the VGA Grid Concentrator that has been plugged into the local network and been assigned an appropriate IP address for the given network by a DHCP server. This network discovery also applies if the device was assigned a static IP.

  • Page 85: Network Discovery Of The System

    System is required to access the System to allow for further configuring of the device. There are tools that will return the System’s IP address. Epiphan provides two such tools and they are described in the following section. Alternatively, contact the relevant network administrator to retrieve the System’s IP address.

  • Page 86: Epiphan's Epiphantouch App For Ipad, Iphone, Itouch

    EpiphanTouch finds, provides the IP address, and can be used as a remote control to start and stop broadcastings and recordings on the System. It will list all Epiphan devices including the System operating on the same network as the iPhone, iTouch, or iPad that is running the EpiphanTouch application.

  • Page 87: Setting Ip Address

    The EpiphanTouch will discover all Epiphan devices. The IP addresses of all devices will be displayed. Record the IP address corresponding to the System you want to configure. If there is more than one Epiphan device on the network, you can identify your System by the serial number displayed.

  • Page 88: Set The System To Use A Static Ip Address

    Set the VGA Grid to use a DHCP server 10.3.2 By default, the VGA Grid is configured to connect to a network using a DHCP server, the DHCP server will automatically configure the network settings and assign a VGA Grid User Guide...
  • Page 89 4. Select Apply to save these changes. 5. Select Maintenance. 6. Select Reboot Now. It takes a few minutes for the VGA Grid to reboot. 7. After a few minutes log into the Web admin interface. Logging into the Web admin interface can be done by: See the section Network Discovery of the System on how to obtain the IP address for VGA Grid.

  • Page 90: System Administration

    The date and time can be set manually or time synchronization can be enabled on the VGA Grid. Configuring how the date and time is managed on the System is done by selecting Date and Time from the Web admin interface’s main menu.

  • Page 91: Figure 64 Setting The Date And Time

    To get the correct time from the NTP server, ensure that the correct Time Zone for the location of the System is selected. If the VGA Grid device cannot connect to the Internet and there is an RDATE server on the network, you can set time synchronization to use RDATE (as defined by RFC 868).

  • Page 92: Users And Passwords

    Admin Access section. If you lose or forget the admin password you can reset the device to its factory default setting. See in order to reset Restoring the System Default Factory Configuration the device to factory defaults. VGA Grid User Guide...

  • Page 93: Deleting The Administrator Password

    To delete the Administrator password: Log into the Web admin interface Select Admin Access. The password fields will be blank. Select Apply. Leaving the password fields blank. When prompted, re-log in leaving the password field blank. VGA Grid User Guide...

  • Page 94: Configuring Viewer Access

    Controlling viewer access to a broadcast can be done in two different ways. The first is to assign a password to the VGA Grid’s viewer password and the second is to enable IP Address based authentication. By default the viewer user does not have a password to control access and no IP Address based authentication is enabled.

  • Page 95: Configuring Ip-Based Authentication For Viewers

    The table below shows the fields used in configuring IP-based Authentication for Viewers. VGA Grid User Guide...

  • Page 96: Delete The Viewer Password

    Installing new firmware 11.4.1 Do not interrupt or power down the VGA Grid device during the firmware update. 1. Log into the Web admin interface. Select Firmware Upgrade from the main menu. Click the Check for updates command. The VGA Grid will indicate whether any...

  • Page 97: Maintenance Controls

    If updates are available, select Browse and then select the downloaded firmware file. Select Apply. The firmware file is uploaded to the VGA Grid. It then unpacks the firmware file, verifies the contents and then upgrades the firmware. To complete the firmware upgrade you must reboot the VGA Grid. Refer to the section Rebooting or Restarting System.

  • Page 98: Restoring The System Default Factory Configuration

    Pressing the reset button on the VGA Grid will also perform a reset to the default factory configuration. See the section, System Hardware Features, for information on the location of the reset button and the proper steps that need to be followed to perform a hardware based factory reset.

  • Page 99: Serial Port Configuring

    RS-232 connection, refer to the RS-232 Commands chapter for more information about these commands. To connect your control equipment to the VGA Grid, use a standard RS-232 null- modem cable. Then an RS-232 serial adapter is connected to the RS-232 null-modem cable before inserting it into one of the two USB ports on the System.

  • Page 100: Customizing Presentation And Web Content

    To use this option, select Branding from the Web admin interface’s main menu. To customize the design you need to create an .xsl file using XML document formatting. The creation of this file is beyond the scope of this document. VGA Grid User Guide...

  • Page 101: Figure 70 Customizing Web Content

    Then click Apply. Other files Files that were uploaded and used during template creation are displayed. Upload files/templates Browse to the template or file you need to upload and click Upload. VGA Grid User Guide...

  • Page 102: Configuring Remote Support

    The default address of the Epiphan maintenance server is epiphany.epiphan.com. The VGA Grid must be able to find a DNS server to resolve the default address and then must be able to connect to this address on the Internet using TCP port 30. If the VGA Grid’s network settings are set to use DHCP, it gets the address of the DNS...

  • Page 103: Figure 71 Remote Support Configuration

    Configuring Remote Support Figure 71 Remote Support Configuration Table 20 Remote Configuration Options Enable Remote Support Allow Epiphan Support to log into the System with special access privileges to troubleshoot problems. VGA Grid User Guide...
  • Page 104 Epiphan Support can remotely connect to the Web admin interface with the same access privileges as an administrator. The VGA Grid does not connect to the Epiphan maintenance server. If required, Epiphan Support can remotely connect to the device with special access privileges.

  • Page 105: Vga Grid Information

    Disk Check from the Web admin interface’s main menu. This page allows the number of the VGA Grid restarts before a disk check is to be performed and the number of months to lapse prior to a disk check to be configured.

  • Page 106: Disk Status Information

    If the VGA Grid is running low on disk space the administrator can delete files. The administrator can also configure automatic file uploads to keep the VGA Grid from running out of disk space.

  • Page 107: Configuring Using A Third-Party Application

    18 Configuring using a Third-Party Application The VGA Grid can be configured and managed with the third-party applications or with a script that sends commands to the VGA Grid as URLs. Please contact Epiphan for the most recent updates to the API.
  • Page 108 If any of the START commands are given while a recording is already in progress, the current recording will be stopped and a recording with the new settings will be started. The VGA Grid periodically reports its status back using the following messages:...

  • Page 109: Syntax For Http Api Commands

    E.g., if you log into the VGA Grid’s Web admin interface using http://192.30.23.45/admin, then <address> would be 192.30.23.45. Key is the name of the object of the VGA Grid to be viewed or changed. See the next section for more information on the valid values for key.

  • Page 110: Keys For Http Api Commands

    "http://admin:@192.168.1.86/admin/set_params.cgi?_c=_multiplexed&rec_enabl ed=" For the third-party applications like wget, you should always include the admin username and password to change the VGA Grid configuration. The syntax for using wget to enter URLs is: 18.4 Keys for HTTP API Commands This section lists and describes all of the keys that can be used in HTTP API commands to view or change the System configuration.

  • Page 111: Broadcasting Setup Keys

    Possible values are 'on' or empty. Displays “No signal” image if the signal is off. vbufmode Use this key to define compression level of the broadcast. E.g., in the Strong mode the broadcast parameter strictly correspond to the specified bitrate. VGA Grid User Guide...

  • Page 112: Asf Encoder Keys

    Add a title for the video being broadcast. Use %20 for spaces. 18.8 RTP Unicast (Peer-to-peer connection) Keys These keys are used for getting or setting RTP unicast settings. You can change these settings when stream type is set to RTP. VGA Grid User Guide...

  • Page 113: Recorder Keys

    Enter the following command to view the broadcasting stream type and frame size: wget --http-user=admin --http-passwd=pass123 "http://192.30.23.45/admin/get_params.cgi?streamtype&framesize"  Enter the following command to set the broadcasting stream type to ASF, add the title “System Stream”, and enable recording audio. wget --http-user=admin --http-passwd=pass123 "http://192.30.23.45/admin/set_params.cgi?streamtype=2 &title= System %20Stream&audio=on" VGA Grid User Guide...

  • Page 114: Sample Configurations

    Limit frame rate Bitrate 3000 kbits for ~ HD; 4000 kbits for ~ Full Rate control mode Low delay Audio format Raw PCM Audio sample rate (Hz) 22050 PC with slides Stream type RTSP (H.264 codec). However Flash VGA Grid User Guide...
  • Page 115 Stream type Motion JPEG Video encoding preset High Quality Limit frame rate Quality parameter 40 — for MJPEG only iPad with video Stream type Motion JPEG Video encoding preset High Speed Limit frame rate VGA Grid User Guide...
  • Page 116 Sample Configurations Quality parameter 40 — for MJPEG only VGA Grid User Guide...

  • Page 117: Troubleshooting

    Alternatively, enter low negative value (-5) in the Frame Grabber’s Vertical Shift field. I cannot play the broadcast in my First, check the LEDs activity on the VGA Grid. media player/browser Further, verify whether the Stream Type parameter in the Stream Setup corresponds to the media player being used.
  • Page 118 If the issue is not solved, perform a Disk Check and start the record again. Firmware upgrade If you are unable to upgrade firmware manually, i.e. upload firmware to the device from your working station, reboot the device and retry. VGA Grid User Guide...

  • Page 119: List Of Figures

    List of Figures 22 List of Figures Figure 1 Epiphan's VGA Grid Delivering High Quality Video and Audio to Local and Remote Clients ......................7 Figure 2 Front View of the VGA Grid ................8 Figure 3 VGA2Ethernet (front view) ................9 Figure 4 VGA2Ethernet (rear view) ................
  • Page 120 List of Figures Figure 38 RTSP Announce Functionality ..............51 Figure 39 VGA Grid Channel Selection ............... 52 Figure 40 Stream Setup....................53 Figure 41 Adding a Live Stream ................. 54 Figure 42 Stream Type Selection ................54 Figure 43 Live Stream Settings ................... 55 Figure 44 RTP/UDP stream settings ................
  • Page 121 EMC directive of the European Community and meets or exceeds the following technical standard. EN 55022 - Limits and Methods of Measurement of Radio Interference Characteristics of Information Technology Equipment. VGA Grid User Guide...
  • Page 122 Those who choose to access the Epiphan web site or use Epiphan products do so on their own initiative and are responsible for compliance with local laws, if and to the extent local laws are applicable.
  • Page 123 Miscellaneous It is the user's responsibility to ascertain whether any information downloaded from the Epiphan web site or other websites is free of viruses, worms, trojan horses, or other items of a potentially destructive nature. Enforcement of Terms and Conditions...

  • Page 124: Configuration Worksheet

    Configuration Worksheet 23 Configuration Worksheet Use this worksheet to keep necessary information about System installation, settings etc. Parameter (IP address, DNS Value server, SSID…) Notes: Copyright © 2012 Epiphan Systems Inc. All Rights Reserved VGA Grid User Guide...
  • Page 125 Configuration Worksheet VGA Grid User Guide...

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