Page 2 ViewCast Corporation is not responsible for any third-party license fees that may occur with the use of our products by an end user including but not limited to creating or distributing content.
Page 3: Table Of Contents
Specifications ........................11 Installing additional software ................... 11 Connecting to the Internet ....................12 Niagara 4100 front panel diagram ..................13 Niagara 4100 back panel diagram ..................14 Connecting the Niagara 4100 ................... 15 Niagara 4100 system menu ....................16 Niagara 4100 home page ....................
Page 4 Video tab ........................67 Audio tab ........................71 Output tab ........................73 H.264 Presets tab ....................... 75 Editing a Windows Media encoder ................... 76 Video tab ........................77 Audio tab ........................79 Output tab ........................80 DRM tab ........................83 ViewCast...
Page 5 Configuring idle screen information ................. 102 Configuring default directory setting ............... 103 Setting CPU thresholds ..................... 104 Restoring Niagara 4100 factory defaults ..............104 Viewing the activity log ....................106 Viewing alerts ......................... 107 Connecting an external storage device ................108 Using the Niagara SCX web interface ................
Page 6 Set gateway address ....................145 Set date and time ..................... 146 Set video standard ....................146 Factory restore ......................147 Export files menu ......................148 Export to USB drive ....................148 Shutdown Niagara 4100 ................... 148 Index ........................... 149 ViewCast...
Page 7: About This Guide
H.264, MPEG-4, H.263, H.264, and Windows Media (Silverlight® compatible) SD and HD, as well as container support for 3GPP and 3GPP2. With the ability to ingest HD video, the Niagara 4100 is ideal for live sports, live newsgathering, webcasting or any streaming application where you need rock-solid HD performance on the go.
Page 8: Conventions For This Guide
CAUTION! Use case sensitive avoid possible damage to commands to keep from hardware or a system crash destroying… (without data loss). Provides information to ensure WARNING! WARNING! Do not touch you avoid potential injury, exposed wires. death, or permanent system damage. ViewCast...
Page 9: Rack Mount Safety Instructions
Niagara 4100 User Guide Rack mount safety instructions Operating Temperature The operating ambient temperature of a rack environment may be greater than room ambient if installed in a closed or multi-unit rack assembly. Therefore, you should install the equipment in an environment compatible with the maximum ambient temperature of 40°...
Page 10: Fcc Notice
WARNING! The Niagara 4100 complies with the limits for a Class A digital device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when you operate the equipment in a commercial environment.
Page 11: Environmental Notices
Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment, Directive 2002/95/EC, the RoHS directive. This product supplied to the European Union does comply with the RoHS directive. ViewCast certifies that this equipment shipped to the European Union conforms to the 2002/95/EC directive.
Page 12: Warnings
These conditions can damage the appliance thereby voiding the limited warranty. You may stack multiple Niagara 4100 units as these appliances accommodate stacking. Do not install the appliance in any area where the temperature is less than 5°C or more than 40°C.
Page 13  A dropped appliance ViewCast assumes no liability or responsibility for any damaged appliance that clients continue using. Use only attachments, accessories, or equipment specified by the manufacturer with the appliance. Using accessories or attachments not recommended by the encoder manufacturer voids the Limited Warranty.
Page 15: Overview
Niagara 4100 User Guide Overview Before you can use your Niagara 4100 streaming media appliance, you first need to set up and configure it. This chapter is dedicated to providing you with the details and step-by-step instructions you need to make your installation as quick and easy as possible.
Page 16: Install Overview
Connect the Niagara 4100 to an IP network.  Configure the Niagara 4100 system. Prerequisites Before installing and connecting the Niagara 4100, ensure you comply with the following prerequisites:  All packaged items are undamaged and in working order. ...
Page 17: System Requirements
ViewCast Support can provide assistance should the appliance fail to start. In most cases, you can restore an appliance to operation without returning it to ViewCast. There is a fee in the event a user returns an appliance due to applications the user installed or if the appliance failed because the primary partition (drive C) is full.
Page 18: Connecting To The Internet
IP address for all service ports less than 1056. All of these ports should report as Stealth and the analysis should show the tests have passed. Ports the router has forwarded show as open. This is OK and you should consider the test as passed. ViewCast...
Page 19: Niagara 4100 Front Panel Diagram
Niagara 4100 User Guide Niagara 4100 front panel diagram You should familiarize yourself with the front panel controls for the Niagara 4100 (Figure 2). Besides the basic buttons for power, start/stop, up/down and menu access, there are indicator lights that are hidden until illuminated.
Page 20: Niagara 4100 Back Panel Diagram
Overview Niagara 4100 back panel diagram Refer to Figure 3 for all the connectors and other components of the Niagara 4100 back panel. Figure 3. Niagara 4100 back panel Left/right XLR connector for balanced audio sources. XLR connectors are used by professional audio engineers and are found on high-end audio and video playback equipment.
Page 21: Connecting The Niagara 4100
Niagara 4100 User Guide Connecting the Niagara 4100 Follow the steps below to configure all Niagara 4100 connections. The example uses SDI video and audio. The following steps refer to a direct connection to the Niagara 4100 only. To connect the Niagara 4100: Connect to the SDI digital input for video and audio (item B on Figure 3).
Page 22: Niagara 4100 System Menu
Niagara 4100 system menu The Niagara 4100 system menu (Figure 4) is located on the LCD panel on the front of the unit. The menu allows you to quickly and easily configure the Niagara 4100. You use the Up and Down arrow buttons to navigate through the different functions on the system menu.
Page 23: Niagara 4100 Home Page
The home page (Figure 5) is the first page that appears after you log into the Niagara SCX Remote Management Software. From this page, you can access the different windows for configuring, controlling, and monitoring the activities and alerts from the Niagara 4100. Figure 5. Niagara 4100 home page Menu bar commands The home page menu bar allows you to use the menu bar commands.
Page 24 View Activity Log – View all Niagara 4100 activities including the time and date for each event.  View Alerts – View all alerts including the time and date for each alert.  Log Out Log out of the Niagara 4100 and return to the website login screen. ViewCast...
Page 25: Niagara 4100 Browser Windows Flow
Niagara 4100 User Guide Niagara 4100 browser windows flow Figure 6 shows the interrelationship and flow of the available windows you may use to configure the Niagara 4100. Figure 6. Niagara 4100 browser window ViewCast...
Page 27: Easy Setup
 Web interface through Niagara SCX remote management software Most of the basic operations can be performed from the front panel of the Niagara 4100 streaming media appliance. You should perform most setup and operations by accessing the Niagara SCX web interface from a computer that resides on the same network as your Niagara 4100 appliance.
Page 28: Web Interface
 Home  Encoders o All Encoders including encoder properties o Presets A, B, and C o Groups  Configuration o Niagara 4100 Properties o Alerts o Network Properties o System Configuration  Status o Activity Log o Alerts ...
Page 29: Easy First Time Set Up
You should read all instructions, notices, and warnings in the About This Guide section prior to getting started with your new Niagara 4100 hardware for the first time. Also, ensure you have all required parts and meet all system requirements before installing this product.
Page 30: Performing The Initial Startup
Performing the initial startup The first time you power up the Niagara 4100, a series of menus appear on the LCD display that will assist you in setting up the system clock, date, and video input format (NTSC (North America/Japan) or PAL).
Page 31: Connecting To An Ip Network
Connecting to an IP network The Niagara 4100 network settings for its network interfaces default to dynamically obtain an IP address from a DHCP server on the network. If a DHCP server is not available or is not found on the network, then Niagara 4100 assigns its own IP address.
Page 32 19. Use the Up and Down arrow buttons to change the numeric value incrementally and enter either the static IP or Gateway address. 20. Press Stream to move to the next field. 21. Press Enter. The subnet address screen appears (Figure 18). ViewCast...
Page 33 Niagara 4100 User Guide Figure 18. Subnet address screen 22. Use the Up and Down arrow buttons to change the numeric value incrementally and enter the subnet address. 23. Press Enter. Note: To remove a static IP and/or Gateway address, follow steps 12 through 15 to enable DHCP.
Page 35: Basic Operations
You may customize your encoder settings and assign specific encoder profiles using the front panel. Starting up If this is the first time you are using the Niagara 4100, refer to the Performing the initial startup section before continuing. To perform first start up: Press Power .
Page 36: Shutting Down
Shutting down Allow the Niagara 4100 to power down normally. If you force the system to shut down improperly, your data can be corrupted. If so, the next time you start the system it can take several minutes to complete startup.
Page 37: Starting An Encoder
For example, you can stream Windows Media at full resolution at 1500 kbps and at the same time stream Adobe Flash at CIF resolution at 500 kbps. The Niagara 4100 LCD displays a list of available encoder profiles you can ue and the current status of each.
Page 38 After the encoder session has successfully begun, the LCD display returns to the previous display of available encoders. The screen will indicate that the encoder profile you selected has begun encoding. The video detection light illuminates if horizontal video sync is detected on either the S-Video or Composite video input of the Niagara 4100. ViewCast...
Page 39: Checking Cpu Usage
Checking CPU usage When the Niagara 4100 is idle (no encoders are streaming), the CPU percentage is normally 4 % or less. If one or more encoders are streaming, the percentage is much higher and fluctuates in a range of +/- 10 %.
Page 40: Stopping An Encoder
Press Stop. The encoder screen appears (Figure 30) showing the status of each encoder. Figure 30. Encoder screen Use the Up and Down arrow buttons to select the encoder you want to terminate. Press Stop. The stopping screen appears (Figure 31). Figure 31. Stopping screen Press Menu. The system menu appears. ViewCast...
Page 41: Connecting An External Storage Device
Connecting an external storage device The Niagara 4100 has one USB port on the front panel and one on the back panel. You can connect almost any standard USB memory device to one or both of these ports. You can then export any audiovisual files you may have created on Niagara 4100’s local storage drive.
Page 42 Press Enter. The filename screen appears (Figure 37). Figure 37. Filename screen Use the Up and Down arrows to select the desired file to transfer. Press Enter. While the Niagara 4100 exports the file, the exporting screens appear (Figure 38). Figure 38. Exporting screens ViewCast...
Page 43: Advanced Operations
Niagara 4100 User Guide Advanced Operations The Niagara 4100 includes a web interface, which allows you to access the advanced system settings. The web interface also provides detailed settings and control over the encoder profiles installed on Niagara 4100. Advanced operations include but are not limited to the following: ...
Page 44 Note: System administrators should previously configure all user names and passwords for those who they allow to log on to the system. Press Login. The Niagara 4100 Welcome Window and menu bar appear (Figure 43). Figure 43. Welcome window ViewCast...
Page 45: Viewing All Encoders
Niagara 4100 User Guide Viewing all encoders The Encoders window (Figure 44) provides a list of all of the encoder profiles loaded on the Niagara 4100. On the home page click Encoders  All Encoders. Figure 44. Encoders window Displays the amount of CPU usage.
Page 46: Creating An Encoder
Select the Encoder Type from the drop-down list. Enter the name of the encoder. Note: Valid characters are alphanumeric, space, dash, and dot. To use the same properties from another encoder, enable Clone Properties From. Select the encoder from the drop-down list. Click Create New Encoder. ViewCast...
Page 47: Starting An Encoder
Niagara 4100 User Guide Starting an encoder To start an encoder, on the home page click Encoders  All Encoders. To start an encoder: Click the red circle Stopped icon (Figure 46) in the Streaming column for the encoder you want to start streaming.
Page 48: Stopping An Encoder
Click the blue Started icon of the encoder you wish to stop streaming (Figure 49). Figure 49. Started icon Messages appear detailing the encoder stop progress (Figure 50). Figure 50. Encoder stopped The Encoders window appears with the encoder status updated to reflect the Stopped mode (Figure 51). Figure 51. Encoders window ViewCast...
Page 49: Editing An Adaptive Apple Http Encoder
Niagara 4100 User Guide Editing an Adaptive Apple HTTP encoder When you create a new encoder, the Encoder Properties window appears. The Encoder Properties windows for editing a new encoder or an existing encoder are identical. You must configure the audio and video settings for each encoder type.
Page 50: Video Tab
In the Input field, select the video input. IMPORTANT! The video input must match the connectors on the back of the Niagara 4100 and your video source. The Proportions field setting is Standard (square pixels for a VGA monitor).
Page 51 Niagara 4100 User Guide Select the Frame Rate from the drop-down list. Drag the sliders to adjust the Gamma, Brightness, Contrast, Hue, and Saturation (Figure 55). Figure 55. Video Filter Settings Note: Click the Restore button to the right of the filter to reset the settings to the default.
Page 52: Audio Tab
 Unbal Input 1 (Osprey-700 HD 1) Note: Because the Niagara 4100 is a single-channel encoder, you can only connect and stream one audio and video source at any given time. However, you can encode the same audio and video at multiple data rates and multiple formats to provide the best user experience for different viewing audiences.
Page 53: Apple Http Live Streaming Output Tab
In the Publisher field, click Apple HTTP Live Streaming. Note: Because the Niagara 4100 is a single-channel encoder, you can only connect and stream one audio and video source at any given time. However, you can encode the same audio and video at multiple data rates and multiple formats to provide the best user experience for different viewing audiences.
Page 54 Note: The HTTP Address that displays at the bottom of the window is a combination of the Host Address, Subfolder, and Filename. The File System that displays at the bottom of the window is a combination of the Folder, Subfolder, and HTTP Address. Figure 59. Transport Settings ViewCast...
Page 55: Apple Http Live Streaming Security Tab Via Ftp
Niagara 4100 User Guide Apple HTTP Live Streaming Security tab via FTP Figure 60. Apple HTTP Live Streaming Security tab via FTP To configure security settings: Select the Authentication Type. Note: If http: is selected as the Host Address on the Output tab, the option is Akamai Token Authentication.
Page 56: Editing An Adaptive Adobe Flash Encoder
Flash encoder whose properties you wish to modify. The system displays the Encoder Properties window for the selected encoder. IMPORTANT! If you make any changes to the Encoder Properties window, you must click Submit. Otherwise, all your changes will be lost. Figure 61. Adaptive Adobe Flash Encoder Properties ViewCast...
Page 57: Video Tab
In the Source field, the default is Osprey-700 HD Video Device 1. Note: Because the Niagara 4100 is a single-channel encoder, you can only connect and stream one audio and video source at any given time. However, you can encode the same audio and video at multiple data rates and multiple formats to provide the best user experience for different viewing audiences.
Page 58 – Is an algorithm for de-interlacing pure video (non-telecine) content. – Applies motion adaptive interlacing to all video. It detects which portions of the image are still and which portions are in motion then applies different processing to each scenario. ViewCast...
Page 59 Niagara 4100 User Guide Figure 65. De-Interlace settings Note: Telecine and inverse telecine only apply to NTSC video. They are not used for PAL and SECAM video. The system disables Auto and Inverse Telecine choices when you select either PAL or SECAM as the video standard.
Page 60: Audio Tab
SDI Input 3 (Osprey-700 HD 1)  SDI Input 4 (Osprey-700 HD 1) IMPORTANT! The audio input must match the connectors on the back of the Niagara 4100 and your audio source. Drag the slider to adjust the Volume. (Optional) Click to Mute Audio.
Page 61: Adobe Flash Dynamic Streaming Output Tab
In the Publisher field, select Adobe Flash Dynamic Streaming. Note: Because the Niagara 4100 is a single-channel encoder, you can only connect and stream one audio and video source at any given time. However, you can encode the same audio and video at multiple data rates and multiple formats to provide the best user experience for different viewing audiences.
Page 62 Note: The RTMP Address that displays at the bottom of the window is the Host Address, FMS Address. The File System that displays at the bottom of the window is a combination of the Folder and Filename. Figure 68. Transport Settings ViewCast...
Page 63: Adobe Flash Dynamic Streaming Security Tab
Niagara 4100 User Guide Adobe Flash Dynamic Streaming Security tab Figure 69. Adobe Flash Dynamic Streaming Security tab To configure security settings: Select the Authentication Type for transport type:  Akamai Entry Point  LimeLight Server Enter the Username. Note: You can enter a maximum of 80 characters.
Page 64: Editing An Adobe Flash H.264 Encoder
The system displays the Encoder Properties window for the selected encoder. IMPORTANT! If you make any changes to the Encoder Properties window, you must click Submit. Otherwise, all your changes will be lost. Figure 70. Flash Encoder Properties ViewCast...
Page 65: Video Tab
 Disabled Note: Because the Niagara 4100 is a single-channel encoder, you can only connect and stream one audio and video source at any given time. However, you can encode the same audio and video at multiple data rates and multiple formats to provide the best user experience for different viewing audiences.
Page 66 – Is an algorithm for de-interlacing pure video (non-telecine) content. – Applies motion adaptive interlacing to all video. It detects which portions of the image are still and which portions are in motion then applies different processing to each scenario. ViewCast...
Page 67 Niagara 4100 User Guide Figure 74. De-Interlace Settings Note: Telecine and inverse telecine only apply to NTSC video. They are not used for PAL and SECAM video. The system disables Bob0 and Bob1 choices when you select either PAL or SECAM as the video standard.
Page 68: Audio Tab
Click the Format from the drop-down list. Click the Bitrate from the drop-down list. Click the Audio Encoder from the drop-down list. Touch and drag the slider to adjust the Volume. (Optional) Click the Mute Audio checkbox to disable audio. Click Submit. ViewCast...
Page 69: Output Tab
Niagara 4100 User Guide Output tab You need Adobe Flash Media Server 3.5 or greater to stream Flash H.264. Figure 76. Output tab To configure output settings: Click the Enable Streaming checkbox to enable live Flash streaming. Enter the proper IP address in the Server Address field.
Page 70 A better practice would be to use the Flash Media server to save a file or to save it to a remote drive. If you inadvertently fill all available space, you risk losing your stream during a streaming event. ViewCast...
Page 71: H.264 Presets Tab
Niagara 4100 User Guide H.264 Presets tab You can edit specific H.264 encoder settings or you can select a custom preset to use typical settings for your profile. These advanced settings affect the way the Encoder performs and if set incorrectly may lead to abnormal encoder operations (Figure 78).
Page 72: Editing An Mpeg-4 Encoder
The system displays the Encoder Properties window for the selected encoder. IMPORTANT! If you make any changes to the Encoder Properties window, you must click Submit. Otherwise, all your changes will be lost. Figure 79. MPEG4 Encoder Properties ViewCast...
Page 73: Video Tab
 Disabled Note: Because the Niagara 4100 is a single-channel encoder, you can only connect and stream one audio and video source at any given time. However, you can stream the same audio and video at multiple data rates and multiple formats to provide the best user experience for different viewing audiences.
Page 74 – Is an algorithm for de-interlacing pure video (non-telecine) content. – Applies motion adaptive interlacing to all video. It detects which portions of the image are still and which portions are in motion then applies different processing to each scenario. ViewCast...
Page 75 Niagara 4100 User Guide Figure 83. De-Interlace settings Note: Telecine and inverse telecine only apply to NTSC video. They are not used for PAL and SECAM video. The system disables Bob0 and Bob1 choices when you select either PAL or SECAM as the video standard.
Page 76 Table 2. Valid output container selections for video encoder types Container H.263 Video MPEG-4 Video H.264 Video         IMPORTANT! You must select container type 3GP or 3G2 on the Output tab before video encoder H263 will appear on the Video tab. ViewCast...
Page 77: Audio Tab
SDI Input 4 (Osprey-700 HD 1)  Unbal Input 1 (Osprey-700 HD 1) IMPORTANT! The audio input must match the connectors on the back of the Niagara 4100 and your audio source. Click the Audio Format from the drop-down list.
Page 78 AAC achieves better audio quality than MP3. AAC and MP3 are MPEG standards. Click the Bitrate from the drop-down menu. Drag the slider to adjust the Volume. (Optional) Click the Mute Audio checkbox to disable audio. Click Submit. ViewCast...
Page 79: Output Tab
Niagara 4100 User Guide Output tab Figure 85. Output tab To configure output settings: Click the Enable Streaming checkbox to stream your audiovisual content via RTSP. Set the appropriate streaming properties. Note: The default settings will enable multicast streaming. If you do not want this, change the IP address for Group to the IP address of the server to which you want to stream from the encoder.
Page 80 Select the Container Type. Click the Enable Injection checkbox to inject an SDP file onto your server. Set the appropriate setting for the server. Enter the username and password. Enter the Server SDP File Name. Enter the Server Port Number. Click Submit. ViewCast...
Page 81: H.264 Presets Tab
Niagara 4100 User Guide H.264 Presets tab Figure 87. H.264 Settings Tab To configure H.264 settings: Click Edit next to the setting you want to modify. IMPORTANT! These advanced settings affect the way the encoder performs and if set incorrectly may lead to abnormal encoder operations. Refer to the H.264 Advanced Settings section in Appendix B for suggested values for the type of video you are streaming.
Page 82: Editing A Windows Media Encoder
The system displays the Encoder Properties window for the selected encoder. IMPORTANT! If you make any changes to the Encoder Properties window, you must click Submit. Otherwise, all your changes will be lost. Figure 88. Windows Media encoder properties ViewCast...
Page 83: Video Tab
In the Source field, select Disabled or Osprey-700 HD Video Device 1. Note: Because the Niagara 4100 is a single-channel encoder, you can only connect and stream one audio and video source at any given time. However, you can encode the same audio and video at multiple data rates and multiple formats to provide the best user experience for different viewing audiences.
Page 84 Note: Telecine and inverse telecine only apply to NTSC video. They are not used for PAL and SECAM video. The system disables Bob0 and Bob1 choices when you select either PAL or SECAM as the video standard. Click Submit. ViewCast...
Page 85: Audio Tab
SDI Input 4 (Osprey-700 HD 1)  Unbal Input 1 (Osprey-700 HD 1) IMPORTANT! The audio input must match the connectors on the back of the Niagara 4100 and your audio source. Drag the slider to adjust the Volume. (Optional) Click the Mute Audio checkbox to disable audio.
Page 86: Output Tab
Niagara 4100 to pass a user name and password to authenticate access to the server. To enable clients to pull the stream from Niagara 4100, set up a session and begin broadcasting directly from Niagara 4100. Clients (Windows Media servers or players) can connect to the stream at any time by using the following URL format: ...
Page 87 Click on a Windows Media Capture Profile. Click the Enable Pull checkbox. Enter a port number that the server will use to pull the stream from Niagara 4100. Click the Enable Push checkbox. IMPORTANT! Be sure to enter a port number not already assigned to another encoder. If two encoders attempt to use the same port number, one or both encoders will fail to start.
Page 88 Advanced Operations drive. If you inadvertently fill all available space, you risk losing your stream during a streaming event. 13. Click Submit. Note: If you click to another window before you click Submit, your changes will be lost. ViewCast...
Page 89: Drm Tab
Niagara 4100 User Guide DRM tab You can protect your content using a technology called Digital Rights Management (DRM). Niagara SCX allows you to encrypt your content with DRM technology while you are encoding. You can apply DRM while encoding to a file and when broadcasting a stream. Users are required to obtain a license to play to content.
Page 90: Viewing Encoder Groups
The Encoder Groups window (Figure 97), a subset of Encoders (on the Encoders window), allows you to view the list of encoder groups available for assignment to the Niagara 4100. Click Encoders  Groups from the menu bar on the home page.
Page 91: Creating Encoder Groups
Niagara 4100 User Guide Creating encoder groups If two encoders try to use the same port number at the same time, an error will occur. Select the Create New Group link on the Encoder Groups window. The encoder groups fields display (Figure 98).
Page 92: Starting An Encoder Group
To stop an encoder group, click the Stop link to the right in the Stop column of the group you want to stop. The encoder group will stop in a few seconds. The system displays any errors on the Stopping window while the group stops. ViewCast...
Page 93: Editing Encoder Groups
Niagara 4100 User Guide Editing encoder groups Select the Edit link on the Encoder Groups window. The encoder groups field displays (Figure 99). Figure 99. Encoder Groups Window To edit encoder groups: Enter the name of the group. Click on the preset button you want to assign to this encoder group.
Page 94: Configuring The Preset Abc Buttons
Advanced Operations Configuring the Preset ABC buttons The Niagara 4100 streaming media appliance provides one-button streaming via the Preset ABC buttons located on the front panel of the system. By default, these buttons are not assigned. Use the web interface to configure or preset each button to a specific group of encoders. (A preset is a quick way to select and stream a group of encoder profiles.) Before you can configure the Preset ABC buttons, you...
Page 95 Niagara 4100 User Guide To assign Preset A button: Click the drop-down list in the Select a Group field. A complete list of all groups available on the Niagara 4100 appears. Select a group. Click Submit. The Encoder Preset A window updates with the encoder information (Figure 101).
Page 96: Using Preset Abc Buttons To Start An Encoder Group
WARNING! Limitations exist for the number of streams you can encode simultaneously. If you attempt to encode more streams than the Niagara 4100 can process simultaneously, the streams drop frames and the video stutters. This results in a poor viewer experience.
Page 97: Viewing All Encoders
Niagara 4100 User Guide Use the Up and Down arrows to select the appropriate group. Press Enter. A confirmation screen appears (Figure 106). Figure 106. Confirmation screen Press Enter. A group is now assigned to the Preset button. Viewing all encoders After assigning encoders to the A, B, and C buttons, the system updates the Preset column on the Encoder Groups window to reflect these changes.
Page 98: Configuring Machine Properties
Advanced Operations Configuring machine properties The Niagara 4100 Machine Properties window (Figure 109) provides details on software versions, network name, serial number, and hard drive configurations. Click Configuration  Surf Properties from the menu bar on the home page. Figure 109. Machine Properties window Most of the data on this window provides information only and users cannot alter it.
Page 99: Changing The Computer Name
Niagara 4100 User Guide Changing the computer name The Computer Name field contains the current network name for the Niagara 4100. This name is the same name you typed into the web browser to access the Niagara SCX web interface.
Page 100: Changing The Login Password From The Factory Default
Changing the login password from the factory default The Niagara 4100 Properties section has two fields: User Name and Serial Number. Only the User Name field can be changed, which changes the User Password from the factory default (Figure 112).
Page 101: Configuring Alerts
You must specify the email address where you want an alert sent, along with your email server user name, password, and server name. For more information about configuring the Niagara 4100 to send email alerts, see the System Configuration section.
Page 102: Configuring Network Properties
Configuring network properties The Network Properties window (Figure 115) provides detailed information on the current network settings for the Niagara 4100 Network Cards. Click Configuration  Network Properties from the menu bar on the home page. Figure 115. Network Properties window...
Page 103: Configuring The Ip Address
(Figure 118). Figure 118. Advanced Settings The Niagara 4100 network name (HS10440005) is a link. If you click this link, the system transfers you to the Machine Properties window. From this window, you can change the name of the Niagara 4100.
Page 104 Advanced Operations The Active Network Link field uses one of two icons to indicate whether the network interface card selected has a network connected. The system detects the network link. The system does not detect the network link. ViewCast...
Page 105: System Configuration Settings
Niagara 4100 displays on its front panel when the system is in idle mode. This window also allows you to restore your Niagara 4100 to its original factory disk image and return all the system settings to their original states. Using the Factory Restore option removes all custom settings.
Page 106: Setting Current System Configuration
Click the Minutes in the drop-down list. Click AM or PM in the drop-down list. Click the Change Date link. A calendar appears. Click the date on the calendar. The Osprey 700 automatically defines the Video Standard. Click Submit. ViewCast...
Page 107: Configuring Email/Smtp Settings
Enter the password if required. Note: For security purposes, the password for your account does not display once the system enters it into the Niagara 4100 settings. Although this field appears blank after you click Submit, the system retains the password information.
Page 108: Configuring Idle Screen Information
Advanced Operations Configuring idle screen information You can modify the information displayed in the Niagara 4100 LCD display on the touch panel. The information you select cycles through the LCD display screen and alternates between status and encoder information (Figure 122).
Page 109: Configuring Default Directory Setting
Configuring default directory setting The Niagara 4100 stores AV files when you select the Save to File option in the Output tab of the encoder profile in the Default AV Folder field (Figure 123). Refer to the Save to File option under the Flash Encoder Properties sections for information on setting an encoder profile to create an AV file.
Page 110: Setting Cpu Thresholds
This operation takes approximately 15 to 45 minutes to complete. Do not power off or interrupt the system restore once it starts. All services automatically restart when the system restore completes. You may then use the Niagara 4100 web interface tool to reset the time, date, and video format.
Page 111 Back to Home Page. Note: Restore to Factory Defaults rebuilds the Niagara 4100 primary disk drive C with the original system image. You lose all custom settings and any files saved to drive C. You cannot reverse this process.
Page 112: Viewing The Activity Log
File  Print to print a hard copy or save a soft copy of the Activity Log. Displays the system date and time stamps for each event. Indicates the type of activity. Displays a description of the activity. Click to view multiple pages of activity log. ViewCast...
Page 113: Viewing Alerts
Displays the date and time the alert occurred. Displays the description for the alert. The Alarm Indicator Light on the front panel of the Niagara 4100 turns red when an alert occurs. Press the “i” button to view the alert (see Niagara 4100 front panel diagram).
Page 114: Connecting An External Storage Device
Connecting an external storage device The Niagara 4100 provides two USB ports, one on the front panel and one on the rear panel. You can connect almost any standard USB memory device to one or both of these ports. This allows you to export any AV files you created on the local storage drive of the Niagara 4100.
Page 115: Appendix A: Drm For Windows Media
Niagara 4100 User Guide Appendix A: DRM for Windows Media You can protect your content using a technology called Digital Rights Management (DRM). Niagara SCX allows you to encrypt your content with DRM technology while you are encoding. You can apply DRM while encoding to a file and when broadcasting a stream.
Page 116: Importing A Drm Profile
Windows Media Encoder is included in Niagara streaming media appliances that have Niagara SCX version 5.0 or later installed. To access the desktop of the Niagara 4100, attach a keyboard, a mouse, and a monitor to the system. If the system is installed in a location that does not provide physical access, you can use Windows Remote Desktop Connection to access the desktop.
Page 117 Figure 130. General tab 6. In the User Name field, type niagara. 7. In the Password field, type password to connect the Niagara 4100 using remote desktop. WARNING! When exiting from Remote Desktop Connection, do not log off. Instead, exit/close the session from the Niagara 4100. This step allows its internal programs to continue running.
Page 118 8. Copy the DRM profiles to a protected location on the encoding system to ensure they are not accidentally removed or erased (Figure 131). Note: ViewCast recommends you create a new directory on drive D on the Niagara 4100 and use this directory to store your DRM profiles.
Page 119 16. Exit from the Windows Media Encoder application when finished. Note: If the system prompts if you want to save your encoding session, click No option. 17. Disconnect Remote Desktop Connection from Niagara 4100 (Figure 136). Do not log out. Figure 136. Disconnect Remote Desktop 18.
Page 121: Appendix B: H.264 Advanced Settings
Niagara 4100 User Guide Appendix B: H.264 Advanced Settings In general, the default values for the H.264 encoder will meet your streaming requirements. For devices with restricted bandwidths and under certain conditions such as low bit rates, motion specific, or constant bit rate applications, you may need to adjust the advanced settings.
Page 122 You can change the default settings according to the type of video you are streaming in constant bit rate (CBR), mobile, or variable bit rate (VBR):  CBR - Newscast  CBR - Sports  CBR - Action  Mobile  VBR – Newscast  VBR – Sports  VBR - Action ViewCast...
Page 123: Cbr - Newscast
Niagara 4100 User Guide CBR – Newscast Newscast type content has low motion and some scene changes. Setting Value BFramesBias BFramesMax BFramesStrategy BitRateTolerance BlurComplexity ChromaOffset CodecFlags 41496352 CodecFlags2 131328 CoderType DirectMVPrediction GOPSize GOPSizeMin IFrameQuantFactor 0.71 InLoopDeblockingFilterAlpha InLoopDeblockingFilterBeta Level MotionEstimationMethod MotionEstimationRange...
Page 124: Cbr - Sports
A sports event sequence is a typical representation of a sports game. Setting Value BFramesBias BFramesMax BFramesStrategy BitRateTolerance BlurComplexity ChromaOffset CodecFlags 4196352 CodecFlags2 131328 CoderType DirectMVPrediction GOPSize GOPSizeMin InLoopDeblockingFilterAlpha InLoopDeblockingFilterBeta Level MotionEstimationMethod MotionEstimationRange MotionEstimationSubPelQuality MotionEstimationSubPixelComparison NoiseReduction QuantizerMax QuantizerMaxDiffBetweenFrames QuantizerMin QuantizerScaleBlurOverTime QuantizerScaleCompress ReferenceFrames SceneChangeDetectThreshold TrellisRDQuantization ViewCast...
Page 125: Cbr - Action
Niagara 4100 User Guide CBR – Action An action movie sequence has a lot of lasers, explosions, bright lights flickering, dust, and scene changes. Setting Value BFramesBias BFramesMax BFramesStrategy BitRateTolerance BlurComplexity ChromaOffset CodecFlags 4196352 CodecFlags2 131328 CoderType DirectMVPrediction GOPSize GOPSizeMin IFrameQuantFactor -0.8...
Page 126: Mobile
Appendix B: H.264 Advanced Settings Mobile Setting Value BFramesBias BFramesMax BFramesStrategy BitRateTolerance BlurComplexity ChromaOffset CodecFlags 4196352 CodecFlags2 131328 CoderType DirectMVPrediction GOPSize GOPSizeMin IFrameQuantFactor -0.71 InLoopDeblockingFilterAlpha InLoopDeblockingFilterBeta Level MotionEstimationMethod MotionEstimationRange MotionEstimationSubPelQuality MotionEstimationSubPixelComparison NoiseReduction QuantizerMax QuantizerMaxDiffBetweenFrames QuantizerMin QuantizerScaleBlurOverTime QuantizerScaleCompress ReferenceFrames SceneChangeDetectThreshold TrellisRDQuantization ViewCast...
Page 127: Vbr - Newscast
Niagara 4100 User Guide VBR – Newscast Setting Value BFramesBias BFramesMax BFramesStrategy BitRateTolerance BlurComplexity ChromaOffset CodecFlags 4196352 CodecFlags2 131328 CoderType ConstantRateFactor DirectMVPrediction GOPSize GOPSizeMin IFrameQuantFactor 0.71 InLoopDeblockingFilterAlpha InLoopDeblockingFilterBeta Level MotionEstimationMethod MotionEstimationRange MotionEstimationSubPelQuality MotionEstimationSubPixelComparison NoiseReduction QuantizerMax QuantizerMaxDiffBetweenFrames QuantizerMin QuantizerScaleBlurOverTime QuantizerScaleCompress ReferenceFrames...
Page 128: Vbr - Sports
Appendix B: H.264 Advanced Settings VBR – Sports Setting Value BFramesBias BFramesMax BFramesStrategy BitRateTolerance BlurComplexity ChromaOffset CodecFlags 4196352 CodecFlags2 131328 CoderType ConstantRateFactor DirectMVPrediction GOPSize GOPSizeMin IFrameQuantFactor -0.8 InLoopDeblockingFilterAlpha InLoopDeblockingFilterBeta Level MotionEstimationMethod MotionEstimationRange MotionEstimationSubPelQuality MotionEstimationSubPixelComparison NoiseReduction QuantizerMax QuantizerMaxDiffBetweenFrames QuantizerMin QuantizerScaleBlurOverTime QuantizerScaleCompress ReferenceFrames SceneChangeDetectThreshold TrellisRDQuantization ViewCast...
Page 129: Vbr - Action
Niagara 4100 User Guide VBR – Action Setting Value BFramesBias BFramesMax BFramesStrategy BitRateTolerance BlurComplexity ChromaOffset CodecFlags 4196352 CodecFlags2 131328 CoderType ConstantRateFactor DirectMVPrediction GOPSize GOPSizeMin IFrameQuantFactor -0.71 InLoopDeblockingFilterAlpha InLoopDeblockingFilterBeta Level MotionEstimationMethod MotionEstimationRange MotionEstimationSubPelQuality MotionEstimationSubPixelComparison NoiseReduction QuantizerMax QuantizerMaxDiffBetweenFrames QuantizerMin QuantizerScaleBlurOverTime QuantizerScaleCompress ReferenceFrames...
Page 130: Settings
– (diamond) is the simplest search. It starts at the best predictor, checks the motion vectors at one pixel upwards, left, down, and to the right, chooses the best, and repeats the process until it no longer finds any better motion vectors. This ViewCast...
Page 131: Motionestimationrange
Niagara 4100 User Guide Setting Explanation setting is the fastest. hex – (hexagon) is the default setting. It uses a similar strategy to dia, except it uses a range-2 search of 6 surrounding points. It is considerably more efficient than dia and hardly any slower.
Page 132: Quantizermaxdiffbetweenframes
0 turns off scene change detection. Higher values of scenecut increase the number of scenecuts detected. A good default is IMPORTANT! Lowering the default causes less scene detections so it would use less IDR frames. Those are expensive heavyweight frames. ViewCast...
Page 133: Other Settings
Niagara 4100 User Guide Other settings Setting Explanation BlurComplexity Apply a Gaussian blur with the given radius to the quantizer curve. This value means the quantizer assigned to each frame is blurred temporally with its neighbors to limit quantizer fluctuations.
Page 134 Appendix B: H.264 Advanced Settings Setting Explanation quantization. (100 to 1000 for de-noising) TrellisRDQuantization This value performs Trellis quantization to increase efficiency. 0 = No quantization 1 = Quantization on final macroblock 2 = Always quantize This value requires CABAC. ViewCast...
Page 135: Appendix C: Mapped Network Drive Setup
One account for the username SCXUser The shared folder is created on the remote PC with full access for both Niagara 4100 and SCXUser. On the Niagara 4100, the mapped network drive is created to reconnect at logon using the SCXUser username.
Page 136 Enable Password never expires. Figure 138. New User window Click Create. Repeat steps 5 through 13 to create the user SCXUser using the password viewcast. Click Close. The two new users appear in the users list. Figure 139. Added Users...
Page 137 Niagara 4100 User Guide In Computer Management, click Groups. Figure 140. Groups Double-click on Administrators. Click Add. Figure 141. Administrators Properties window Click Add. The Select Users window displays. Click Locations. Select the PC, then click OK. ViewCast...
Page 138 Appendix C: Mapped Network Drive Setup Figure 142. Locations window Enter niagara4100 for the object name, then click OK. Figure 143. Select Users window ViewCast...
Page 139 Niagara 4100 User Guide The user niagara4100 appears in the list of Administrators. Figure 144. Administrator Properties Repeast steps 19 through 22 to add SCXUser as an administrator. ViewCast...
Page 140 Note: The shared folder(s) must be created on the remote PC. Open My Computer. Open the drive where the shared folder will be created. Right click, select New, then Folder. Figure 145. Create new folder Enter a name for the folder (for example, N4Share). Figure 146. Folder name ViewCast...
Page 141 Niagara 4100 User Guide Right click on the folder, then select Properties. Figure 147. Folder Properties window Click on the Sharing tab. Click Share. The File Sharing window displays. Type a name and then click Add, or click the arrow to select someone from the drop-down list.
Page 142 Use the drop-down list under permission level for this user and select Read/Write. Figure 148. Read/Write permissions Click Share. Repeat steps 2 through 9 to add SCXUser to the Share Permissions. Click Done. Figure 149. File Sharing window Click Close to close the share properties. ViewCast...
Page 143 To map the network drive: Note: Create a mapped network drive to the remote shared folder that will reconnect at logon. Once the mapped drive is created and the Niagara 4100 is rebooted, the user will be able to export to the network drive.
Page 144 Appendix C: Mapped Network Drive Setup Click Finish. Figure 151. Map Network Drive window Enter SCXUser as the User name and viewcast as the Password. Click OK. Click Finish. After a few moments, the network share will open. Close the window. The mapped drive will now appear in My Computer under Network Drives.
Page 145: Appendix D: System Menu
This section provides the detail of the LCD menu tree. It is intended to be a complete reference to all levels and functions accessible using the Niagara 4100 front panel LCD display. It is designed to be a visual reference of the LCD screen including the front panel button action to move to the next screen.
Page 146: Encoder Menu
Appendix D: System Menu Encoder menu Encoder start Encoder stop Encoder status ViewCast...
Page 147: Access Health Menu
Niagara 4100 User Guide Access Health menu CPU status Memory available ViewCast...
Page 148: Setup System Menu
Appendix D: System Menu Setup system menu Network link status Network MAC address ViewCast...
Page 149: View Network Settings
Niagara 4100 User Guide View network settings Enable DHCP ViewCast...
Page 150: Set Static Ip Addresses
Appendix D: System Menu Set static IP addresses ViewCast...
Page 151: Set Gateway Address
Niagara 4100 User Guide Set gateway address ViewCast...
Page 152: Set Date And Time
Appendix D: System Menu Set date and time x 15 x 16 x 25 Set video standard ViewCast...
Page 153: Factory Restore
Niagara 4100 User Guide Factory restore Note: This process actually takes ~10 minutes, be patient. x 16 ViewCast...
Page 154: Export Files Menu
Appendix D: System Menu Export files menu Export to USB drive Shutdown Niagara 4100 ViewCast...
Page 155: Index
DRM, 109 Booting screen, 25 DRM Profile, 113 DRM Profiles, 112 Changing Computer Name, 93 DRM tab, 83 Computer Name field, 93 Configure Advanced Network Settings, 97 Easy first time set up, 23 Configure the Niagara 4100 Connections, 15 ViewCast...
Page 156 Network Card(s) field, 96 Network Cards, 96 General tab, 111 Network Interface Cards, 25 Group screen, 90 Network Properties window, 96 Groups, 131 Network settings screen, 26 New Session Wizard, 112 H.264 Presets tab, 65 New User window, 130 ViewCast...
Page 157 Niagara 4100 User Guide Niagara 4100 back panel, 14 Save to File Location, 64 Niagara 4100 Back Panel, Review of, 14 Save to File setting, 35 Niagara 4100 browser window, 19 Select a folder, 74, 81 Niagara 4100 front panel, 13...
Page 158 Windows Media audio settings, 79 Windows Media encoder DRM settings, 83 View the list of encoder groups, 84 Windows Media encoder output settings, 81 ViewCast Niagara 4100, Picture of, 1 Windows Media encoder video settings, 77 To connect the Niagara 4100, 15...
Page 159 Niagara 4100 User Guide ViewCast...
Page 160 ® ® © 2011 ViewCast Corporation. ViewCast , Niagara (and design) are registered trademarks of ViewCast Corporation or its subsidiaries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Product specifications and availability may change without notice. 40-03288-02-A...

ViewCast Niagara 4100 User Manual

About this Guide

Overview

Easy Setup

Basic Operations

Advanced Operations

Appendix A: DRM for Windows Media

Appendix B: H.264 Advanced Settings

Appendix C: Mapped Network Drive Setup

Appendix D: System Menu

Index

Quick Links

Related Manuals for ViewCast Niagara 4100

Summary of Contents for ViewCast Niagara 4100

Table of Contents