epiphan video Standalone VGA Grid User Manual

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User Guide

Standalone VGA Grid

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Release 3.15.3

November 9, 2015

UG103-05

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For additional terms and conditions, please refer to additional sections in this document.

Thank You for Choosing Epiphan!

At Epiphan Video (“Epiphan”), product function and quality are our top priority. We make every effort to make sure that our products exceed your expectations.

Product Feedback

Your feedback is important! We regularly contact our customers to ensure our products meet your performance and reliability requirements. We strive to continually enhance our products to accommodate your needs. Please let us know how you think we can improve our products by emailing your suggestions to

info@epiphan.com.

Specifications

Go to the Professional Recording and StreamingSystems page of the Epiphan website to get the most recent product specifications and additional information about Epiphan's Standalone VGA Grid.

Warranty

All Epiphan Systems products are provided with a 100% return to depot warranty for one year from the date of purchase.

Technical Support

Epiphan’s products are backed by our professional support team. If you are having issues with your product, please gather details about your system and contact our team by:

l Emailing support@epiphan.com

l Live chat via the link on our support site http://www.epiphan.com/support/

l Phone toll free at 1-877-599-6581 or call +1-613-599-6581

Be sure to include as much information about your problem as possible. Including:

l Problem description

l Details of the video or audio source (type, connection, resolution, refresh rate, etc.)

l Product serial number

l Product firmware version (if applicable, from web admin interface)

What's New in Release 3.15.3?

Firmware release 3.15.3 is a significant upgrade for Standalone VGA Grid that offers exciting new streaming/recording features while improving the functionality of existing ones.

Live video production

The features described below are applicable on all channels for Standalone VGA Grid, VGADVI Broadcaster Pro, and VGADVI Recorder Pro, but only on custom local channels for Networked VGAGrid (i.e. not HD Encoder channels).

New custom layout designer

The new custom layout designer helps you create unique personalized layouts using multiple video sources, pictures, logos, text overlays and backgrounds. Refine your sources and layout items to perfection with the layout editor’s precision positioning, resizing, reordering and cropping tools before previewing the end result. Learn how to create custom layouts in Create a custom channel or layout.

Live switching

You can now switch video sources and custom layouts seamlessly while live streaming/recording. Change your streamed video content using the web interface (or HTTP and RS-232 APIs) to create dynamic and engaging live streams that will captivate your audience. Learn more about live switching in Live video mixing /

switching.

Video source cropping

Selectively crop your video source content to remove unnecessary or redundant information, or crop multiple sources strategically to create perfect custom layouts.

Pictures as video sources

Upload a picture file to use as a video source and further your creative streaming possibilities. Use pictures as sources for custom pre-show announcement, a post-show display, or in conjunction with other images and video sources in custom layouts – the options are entirely up to you.

Transparent PNG images

Use PNG images with transparent backgrounds for improved customization in your layouts. Add corporate logos or other visual details to imbue a truly professional quality to your design.

Live streaming layout adjustments

Change video sources, swap visuals, adjust text overlays and modify backgrounds – all without disrupting the live stream. Adapt to any contingency for added flexibility and peace of mind while live streaming.

Configuration improvements

Custom "No Signal" images for sources

You can now create and upload customized “No Signal” images. These images are assigned to a specific source and display in any channel where the source is used but has no input detected. Ideal for enhancing professionalism in your next live event!

Important firmware 3.15.3 upgrade notice

Firmware release 3.15.3 introduces the new visual channel layout editor which adds the ability to have multiple layouts per channel and simplifies custom channel components like text overlays, images, and picture in picture layouts.

The firmware update process preserves your channel's existing encoding, streaming and recording settings and merges your previous visual channel setup in a new channel layout. We have tested this process carefully, but in some circumstances you may still need to do some small manual adjustments to get the best possible results.

Before you do a firmware update, take notes or a snapshot of your channel's layout. It is also a good idea to note your current release version make a configuration backup for the rare case you choose to return to your current release. After the firmware update, go to the sources page for your channel and review the created layout for your channel. If needed, make adjustments using the procedures described in Create a

custom channel.

What's New in Release 3.15.3? 4

Table of contents 7

Start here 13

Standalone VGA Grid Overview 14

AV inputs 14

What's in the box? 15

Tech specs 18

Quick Start 20

Step 1: Physical set-up and power-on 20

Step 2: Admin discovery and login 21

Step 3: Set up the video source 22

Step 4: Configure the channel 24

Step 5: Testing the stream 25

Step 6: Recording the stream 26

What’s Next? 26

PART 1: Setup 27

The admin interface 28

Connect to the admin interface 28

User administration 32

View system information 45

Configure network settings 46

Verify IP Address and MAC address 46

Configure DHCP 47

Configure a static IP address 48

Tether to a mobile network 50

Perform network diagnostics 51

Configuration presets 53

Configuration presets overview 53

Configuration groups 56

Create a configuration preset 57

Apply a configuration preset 58

Apply theFactory default configuration preset 60

Update a configuration preset 61

Delete a configuration preset 62

Configurationpreset considerations 63

Configure date and time 67

Verify date and time settings 67

Configure synchronized time (NTP, PTP v1 and RDATE) 68

Configure the date and time manually 70

Change the time zone 70

Configure a local NTP server 71

PART 2: Capture 72

What is a channel? 73

Create a simple channel 74

Create a custom channel 78

Configure encoding 106

Add channel metadata 116

Preview a channel 117

Preview all channels at once 119

Rename a channel 120

Delete a channel 121

Live video mixing / switching 122

What is a source? 124

Connect a source 125

Preview a source 126

Configure a source 126

Rename a source 132

Control audio volume 133

Troubleshoot capture 135

Remove black bars (matte) from the video 135

Force the capture card to use a specific EDID 138

Unstretch the output video 142

Video not centered (VGAsources only) 143

Remove the combing effect on images 144

Video looks squished (VGA sources only) 144

Video too bright, too dark or washed out (VGAsources only) 146

PART 3: Stream 147

What is streaming? 148

Choose a streaming option 148

Supported streaming formats 149

Stream to viewers 150

Stream content using HTTPor RTSP 150

Configure HTTP and RTSP streaming ports 152

Stream content using HLS(HTTP Live Streaming) 153

Send stream URLs to viewers 154

View the Flash stream 155

Viewing with a web browser 158

Viewing with a media player (RTSP) 159

Disable (and enable) streams for viewers 160

Restrict access to streams for viewers 161

Restrict viewers by IPaddress 163

IPrestriction examples 164

Stream to a server 167

Stream to a CDN 168

Stream content using multicast 178

Stream to a media player 184

Stream content using multicast 184

Stream content using UPnP 191

Samples of stream settings 198

Streaming video content 198

Streaming slide content 199

PART 4: Record 200

What is a recording? 201

Recording basics 201

Record a channel via the web interface 202

Configure recording file size and type 204

Control recording with a mouse 206

Restart recording 207

Recorders 208

Add a recorder 208

Change the channels recorded by a recorder 209

Record with a recorder 210

Rename recorded files 212

Delete recorded files manually 212

Recorded files 215

View list of recorded files 215

Download recorded files manually 216

Extract tracks from a recording 217

Rename recorded files 219

Delete recorded files manually 219

File and recording transfer 221

Automatic file upload (AFU) overview 221

Choose files to include in AFU 222

Enable and set timing for AFU 224

AFU to an FTP server 227

AFU using RSync 228

AFU using CIFS 229

AFU to a secure FTP server 231

AFU using SCP 233

AFU or copy to USB drive 234

View the AFU log 241

Manage the AFU queue 242

Local FTPserver 244

Configure the local FTP server 244

Using the local FTP Server 246

PART 5: Maintenance 248

Mobile / tablet operator interface 249

Connect to the tablet interface 249

Confidence monitoring using the tablet interface 251

Verify disk space via the tablet interface 253

Control recording via the tablet interface 253

Switch to the full admin interface 254

Power down and system restart 255

Restarting the device via the web interface 255

Shutting down the device via the web interface 256

Shutting down the device manually 256

Save and restore device configuration 258

Save device configuration 258

Load a saved device configuration 259

Perform factory reset 261

Restore factory configuration via the web interface 261

Firmware upgrade 263

Check for firmware updates 263

Install firmware 264

Support 267

Download logs and "allinfo" 267

Configure remote support 269

Disable remote support 270

Storage disk maintenance 272

Check disk storage space 272

Schedule disk check 273

Perform disk check 273

Rebuild or replace storage disks 274

Verify RAID storage 279

Read data from removed storage disks 281

Third party integration 283

Control with RS-232 / serial port 284

Control with HTTPcommands 290

Configurationkeys forthirdparty APIs 294

Troubleshooting 307

Limitations and known issues 309

Previous releases and features 311

Software and Documentation License 313

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide Start here

Start here

Welcome, and thank you for buying Epiphan’s Standalone VGA Grid™. This guide will help you configure your new system.

To get started, review the Overview and What's in the Box? sections. Next, a Quick Start guide walks you through the basic steps to get a single video (and optional audio) source configured as a streamable, recordable output from the Standalone VGA Grid.

Following the quick start section, a set of task-based procedures help you to tweak the system exactly how you want. These procedures are broken into five categories: Setup, Capture, Stream, Record and

Maintenance.

About this Guide

Warnings are depicted as follows.

This is a warning.

Tips and Notes are depicted as follows.

This is a tip.

Throughout this guide there are situations where more than one solution will complete a task. In those cases the guide describes the simplest or most common variation first.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide Standalone VGA Grid Overview

Standalone VGA Grid Overview

Epiphan's VGAGrid allows you to capture, stream, and record audio and video from a large number of VGA, DVI, HDMI, composite and component sources. It supports streaming to a large number of viewers using industry-standard codecs such as H.264 and MPEG-TS. Supporting resolutions between 640×480 and 2048×2048, the VGAGrid is suitable for a broad range of applications.

This versatile system has a variety of options enabling you to create and configure any number of streaming channels. You can choose to stream (or record) a single channel at once or a configuration of synchronized channels with picture-in-picture or picture-with-picture multiplexing selections.

The VGAGrid comes in two styles to meet your needs:Networked and Standalone. The Standalone VGA Grid captures video and audio through internal cards. Depending on the model, it has 4 or 6 DVI source ports, 4 or 6 SDI source ports and 4 or 6 S-Video source ports. The latest hardware models(with SDIcapture) also support HDMI and SDIaudio capture. Encoding and synchronization of the stream is done locally on the Standalone VGA Grid. The Networked VGAGrid has no internal capture cards, instead it uses VGAGrid HD Encoders to capture and encode sources, sending the already encoded stream to the VGAGrid. Using external encoders means the VGAGrid has less stress on its CPU so it can handle a greater number of inputs. HDMIaudio capture and SDI video capture are not supported with Networked VGAGrid systems.

AV inputs

The latest hardware revision of Standalone VGA Grid supports the following AVinputs directly. Nearly every other AV input is supported provided you have the correct converter or adapter.

This document covers the Standalone VGA Grid.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide What's in the box?

Table 1 Comparison for Networked VGAGrid and Standalone VGA Grid

Model

Networked VGAGrid

Standalone VGA Grid

DVI-I

(single link)

up to 64

encoders with

up to

1920×1200

DVI-I

(dual link)

- up to 64 -

4 or 6

(model)

local at up

2048×2048

S-Video SDI Audio

4 of 6

(model)

4 or 6

(model)

up to

5 or 7

(model)

SDIand

HDMI

audio

What's in the box?

The Standalone VGA Grid is a 4U rackmount server with dimensions 522 mm (D) × 430 mm (W) × 176 mm(H) (20.5” × 16.9” × 6.9”).

Latest hardware revision:

Standalone VGA Grid can now capture more HD content than ever before. The newest Standalone VGA Grid comes with eight or twelve HD inputs (depending on the model). Half the inputs are for capturing from DVI/HDMI/VGA sources while the other half are for SDI sources. As before there are also 4 or 6 S-Video ports.

With this combination of available input ports and applicable DVI, SDI or S-Videoadapters/converters you can bring in signals from nearly any source. This hardware upgrade also provides audio capture support for HDMI and SDI in addition to pre-existing support for 3.5 mm analog audio input ports.

Previous hardware revisions

Previous versions of Standalone VGA Grid came with four or six HD inputs (depending on the model). Many, although not all, previous hardware revisions can support the latest software release.Use the Firmware

upgrade feature to see if your device is upgradeable. Noteprevious hardware revisions do not support

HDMIaudio capture.

Unpacking the box

The following list applies only to new devices with the latest hardware revision:

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide What's in the box?

1. 4 or 6 (depending on model) VGA to DVI-I cables

2. 4 or 6 (depending on model) HDMI to DVI-I adapters

3. 4 or 6 (depending on model) DVI-I to DVI-I cables

4. 4 or 6 (depending on model) composite to S-Video cables

5. 4 or 6 (depending on model) SDI cables

6. One Ethernet cable

7. Power cable

Image Name Description

VGA to DVI cable

HDMI to DVI adapter

DVI-I Single Link cable

Composite to S-Video cable

SDI Cable

Connects a VGA source to the system’s DVI port(s).

Connects an HDMI source to the system’s DVI port(s).

Connects a DVI source to the encoder’s DVI port(s).

Connects a composite output from an analog sources to the system’s S-Video port(s).

Connects anSDIsource to the system via BNCconnectors.

RJ-45 Ethernet cable Connects the system to your network.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide What's in the box?

Front and back panel view for the VGAGrid

Table 2 Rackmount Standalone VGA Grid Front and Back Panel Descriptions

Label Name Description

Power Button (behind door)

Reset (behind door)

Power LED Indicates the system is powered on.

Hard Drive LED Blinks when the system is recording or accessing the hard drive.

USB Ports (behind door)

USB Ports

Unlock the door to reveal the power button. Press to turn on; press and release to turn off the system.Press and hold for 4 seconds for a forced system shutdown.

Unlock the door to reveal the reset button. Cycles the power off then on, like a computer reset button.

Unlock the door to reveal two USB ports. For connection of external hard drives, flash drives or control interfaces.

For connection of external hard drives, flash drives or control interfaces.

RJ-45 Ethernet Auto-sensing gigabit Ethernet 10/100/1000 Base-T network port.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide Tech specs

Label Name Description

Audio In (blue) Connect amplified line in audio sources to the system.

Audio In (pink) Connect unamplified microphone audio sources to the system.

Audio In (4 or 6) Connect audio sources to the system.

S-Video ports (4 or 6) Connect analog video sources (S-Video, composite etc) to the system.

DVI-I Dual Link (4 or 6) Connect analog or HD video sources to the system.

SDIports (4 or 6) Connect digital SDI sources to the system.

Tech specs

This table outlines the technical specifications for the latest hardware revision of Standalone VGA Grid. Go to the Professional Recording and StreamingSystems page of the Epiphan website to get the most recent product specifications and additional information about Standalone VGA Grid.

Feature Standalone Networked

Style 4U Rackmount Server

Dimensions 445 mm (D) × 430 mm (W) × 176 mm(H) (17.5” × 16.9” × 6.9”)

Number of Encoders - up to 64

Maximum Resolution 2048×2048 1920×1200

VGA/DVI Screen Video Interfaces 4-6 up to 64 (via encoders)

S-Video/Composite Interfaces 4-6 up to 64 (via encoders)

SDI Interfaces 4-6 -

Audio Interfaces

5-7 plus audio support

throughSDIand HDMI

up to 64 (via encoders)

Video Codecs / Compression H.264, MPEG-4, MJPEG

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide Tech specs

Feature Standalone Networked

Video Bitrate 10 Mb/s

Audio Codecs PCM, MP3, AAC

Audio Sampling Rate 48000 Hz, 44100 Hz, 22050 Hz

Audio Bitrate 64 - 160 kb/s

Key Frames Intervals programable

RGB plus HSync and VSync

Video Format Options

RGB with Sync-on-Green synchronization

RGB plus CSync signal

Update Rates

Resolution fps

640×480 30-60

1280×1024 30-60

1920×1200 30-90

2048×2048 10-60

Resolution fps

640×480 30

1280×1024 30

1920×1200 25

2048×2048 -

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide Quick Start

Quick Start

This section helps you get up and running quickly with your Standalone VGA Grid.

l Step 1: Physical set-up and power-on

l Step 2: Admin discovery and login

l Step 3: Set up the video source

l Step 4: Configure the channel

l Step 5: Testing the stream

l Step 6: Recording the stream

Before you get started, make sure you have:

l an HD source (i.e. a computer, a tablet, or a phone)

l the appropriate cables or adapters to convert the output to DVI or SDI (if needed)

l ideally, a network with Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)

l a computer with a web browser connected to the same network (this is referred to as the “admin”

computer in the steps below)

l optionally, an audio source such as a microphone or the headphone jack from a laptop . Note that

audio signals sent overHDMI andSDI are supported in the latest hardware revision(s). If you have SDIports, your system supports HDMIand SDI audio.

These instructions include steps for setting up and configuring audio. Skip these optional steps if you do not want to configure an audio source at this time.

Step 1: Physical set-up and power-on

Complete the following steps to prepare and power on the system. Refer to the Front and Back Panel View section for your system to locate the appropriate input ports.

1. Turn on your HD source and connect the output cable to a DVI-I or SDI port on the back of the system.

2. (optional) Attach a 3.5 mm audio cable from your audio source to the system’s motherboard audio

input port(blue port on the back of the system).

3. Connect the Ethernet cable to the Standalone VGA Grid.

4. Connect the Ethernet cable to your network.

5. Attach the power cable to the system and plug it into a power source.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide Step 2: Admin discovery and login

6. Unlock the front panel and press the power button to turn on the system.

7. Wait for the Standalone VGA Grid to complete the power up sequence. The power LED illuminates and

the hard drive LED flashes during start up.

Step 2: Admin discovery and login

The Standalone VGA Grid is managed from a web interface. This interface acts as a configuration utility and system monitor. The first time you access the web interface you will not know the IP address of the system.

The steps below use DNS-based service discovery (a type of zero-configuration networking) to access the system. Depending on the operating system on your admin computer you may need to install some software before you can used DNS-based discovery.

This quick start is meant for systems that support DHCP and DNS, however if your system does not support these mechanisms, refer to Connect to the admin interface and Connect to the admin interface for alternative discovery mechanisms. Return to step 3 below you have completed setting a static IP address for the Standalone VGA Grid.

Table 3 Installing Bonjour Print Services

System Action Needed

You must install Bonjour Print Services:

1. Use the following URL - http://support.apple.com/kb/DL999

Microsoft Windows

2. Click Download.

3. Follow the system prompts to download and install the application.

MacOSX

Linux

You are able to access the system web interface on the local network by specifying its serial number in a web browser on your admin computer.

1. Find the system’s serial number. It is printed on a sticker on the back of the unit.

2. Type the following string into the address bar of your web browser on your admin computer (where

<serial> is the serial number of your Standalone VGA Grid):

The Bonjour software used for service discovery is built in to the Mac OS. No special actions are needed.

The Avahi implementation used for DNS-based discovery is shipped with most Linux distributions. If necessary, check with your administrator to ensure you have the Avahi package installed.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide Step 3: Set up the video source

http://<serial>.local/admin For example: http://95dd40d5.local/admin

3. Enter the user name and password then click OK. The administrative user is ‘admin’. Initially no

password is set. To set a password follow the procedure outlined in User administration.

4. Optionally, navigate to the Network link under the Configuration heading and note the IP address of

the system.

Step 3: Set up the video source

The web interface has a pre-configured list of the frame grabbers in the Sources section. Each video input card on the back of the system is a frame grabber. Each frame grabber has one DVI port, one SDI port, one S- Video port and one 3.5 mm audio port. The sources are listed by their frame grabber serial number.

DVI ports are listed with the suffix .vga, SDI ports are listed with the suffix .sdi, S-Video inputs listed with the suffix .video, and analog audio inputs are listed with the suffix _analog or, for the audio port on the motherboard:Analog. Digital audio inputs (for systems with SDIports) are listed with the suffix .hdmi-audio or .sdi-audio, depending on their source.

The serial numbers for your system will not be the same as the examples shown below.

1. From the web interface, scroll to the Sources section. (You will see more sources than shown below.)

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide Step 3: Set up the video source

2. Find the DVI (orSDI) source that you have connected by selecting each DVI (orSDI) source (named .vga

or .sdi as the suffix) and verifying if the preview on the right side of the screen reflects your source material.

3. Make note of the name of the source, or optionally, change the source name to reflect the data it is

capturing.

To rename the input source:

a. Click on the source name at the top of the source configuration window. The name text

becomes red.

b. Edit the name. The following characters are supported: a-z; A-Z; 0-9; + (plus); - (hyphen); _

(underscore); , (comma), . (period); ~ (tilde); #(hash); [ ]; ( ). Although spaces are also supported, it is suggested you use underscores to separate words.

c. Press Enter on the keyboard. The name is updated at the top of the screen and in the list of

sources at the left side.

4. Optionally, configure the audio source (if connected):

a. Scroll to the Sources section again and select the motherboard audio source. It is prefixed by

the word audio and suffixed Analog (i.e. audio ALC892 Analog). The audio configuration page appears.

b. From the Input source drop-down list, select Line for the blue port at the back of the system.

c. Click Apply.

Source setup is complete. The system automatically detected and adjusted the image capture settings at start up and will continue to adjust every 60 seconds during operation (interval is configurable). The system’s goal is to produce the best quality captured image given the source equipment used. Generally no further configuration tweaks are needed.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide Step 4: Configure the channel

Step 4: Configure the channel

Now that you have confirmed the system sees your source it is time to add and configure a channel for output of your source. Channels expose your sources to your streaming users and prepare the sources for recording.

By default, when you add a channel, the system names it the same name as its source. If you changed the source name in previous steps, your new channel's name will reflect the new name.

To add a channel for your source:

1. In the web interface, click Add channel from theChannels section; a new channel is created and the

channel configuration page opens.

2. From the Use video source drop-down list, select your source.

3. Click Apply.

To review and configure the channel:

1. From the web interface, scroll to the Channels section.

2. Click the link for your channel; the channel expands.

3. Click Encoding for your channel.

4. No need to change anything right now. Review some of the default settings. The four most useful

settings to know about are codec, frame size, frame rate and bitrate.

a. The codec is set to H.264 by default.

b. The frame size should reflect the resolution provided by your source. You can set it to something

different by typing in the fields or selecting an option from the different sizes shown. Scaling the image (making it larger, smaller, or different aspect ratio) takes some processing power, so it’s always best to leave this at the value detected by the system unless you know it is wrong or know you need to scale the size.

c. The frame rate limit is set to 30. This means the system won’t spend extra computing time to

attempt to receive more than 30 frames per second. For perspective, NTSC TV signals use 24 frames per second and most hand-drawn animations show only 12 unique frames per second.

d. The bitrate is set to automatic, and the system will determine the best value.

5. Click Status for your channel.

6. Notice the Stream Info section has an item named Video that reflects the four settings reviewed in

prior steps (the frame rate is specified as <resolution size>@30 for 30 (frames per second). It also provides an indication of the current actual frame rate.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide Step 5: Testing the stream

You may now optionally add audio to your channel:

7. Click Sources for your channel; the media source page is displayed.

8. Select the audio source to which you connected your 3.5mm audio cable. If you connected to the blue

line-in on the back of the system, the audio source is the audio source without a frame grabber serial number.

9. Click Apply.

10. Click Encoding for your channel; the Encoding page is displayed.

11. Scroll to the bottom of the Encoding and click the Enable audio checkbox.

12. Leave the default AAC format and audio bitrate.

13. Click Apply.

Step 5: Testing the stream

The Status page contains a link to the live broadcast stream for your channel.

To preview the channel in a browser:

1. From the web interface, scroll to the Channels section.

2. Click the link for your channel.

3. Click the Status link for your channel.

4. Right-click on the Live broadcast link for your channel and select Open in a new tab or Open in a

new window.

5. The new tab or window opens with the stream displayed.

a. If the signal is not detected, reset the DVI cable connections and try again.

Your stream setup is complete. Since most of the steps are pre-configured; you are up and running with a stream very quickly. You can share the live broadcast link with your users.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide Step 6: Recording the stream

Step 6: Recording the stream

The stream is set up and broadcasting. This may be all you need, but if you like you can also record the stream.

To record the stream:

1. From the web interface, scroll to the Channels section.

2. Click Recording for your channel; the Recording page is displayed.

3. Click the red Start button; the text at the top of the screen changes to indicate the recording is

starting, then indicates the length of time since the recording started.

4. Click the black Stop button; the recorder stops.

5. Refresh the page by clicking Recording again; the page reloads and a file list appears that shows your

newly recorded stream snippet.

6. Click the file name to download and view your recording.

What’s Next?

Now that you have a source set up and ready to stream, you can fine-tune the system to your exact requirements. You can look at topics such as:

l Add a video source (custom channel)

l Create a custom channel

l What is streaming?

l File and recording transfer

l User administration

When you have completed system tuning, make sure to back up the system configuration using the procedure described in:

l Save and restore device configuration

Refer to the table of contents for a complete list of the topics covered.

PART 1:

If you followed through the quick start guide, you already have a basic configuration and possibly a recording of an input. Before you tweak the channel or configure more, this part of the manual helps you to get your Standalone VGA Grid properly configured for your network.

Topics covered:

l Connect to the admin interface

l User administration

l View system information

l Configure network settings

l Configure date and time

l Configuration presets

l Restrict viewers by IPaddress

Setup

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

The admin interface

Standalone VGA Grid is managed from a web interface. This means to perform administrative tasks with Standalone VGA Grid you use an internet browser on a PC (or laptop, or tablet) connected to the same local Ethernet network.

Connect to the admin interface

If you know the IP address of the system you may type it into the address bar of your web browser.

http://<IP Address of the Standalone VGA Grid>/admin

However if this is the first time you access your system, you likely don't know the IPaddress, so you can use one of the following connection methods:

For networks with DHCP use one of the following procedures:

l Connect via DNS-based service discovery

l Connect via the Epiphan discovery utility

For networks without DHCP, use the following procedure:

l Connect via persistent static IP address

You can also connect to a reduced Operator tablet interface. See Connect to the tablet interface.

Connect via DNS-based service discovery

The Standalone VGA Grid uses DNS-based messages to advertise details about itself, including its host name. With a compatible utility installed on your computer, you can access the system simply by typing its serial number and the suffix “.local” into the address bar of your browser.

To ensure you have compatible software, refer to the following table.

Table 4 Installing Bonjour Print Services

System Action Needed

You must install Bonjour Print Services:

Microsoft Windows

1. Use the following URL - http://support.apple.com/kb/DL999

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

System Action Needed

2. Click Download.

3. Follow the system prompts to download and install the application.

Connect to the admin interface

MacOSX

Linux

To access the Standalone VGA Grid's web interface via DNS service discovery:

1. Find the system’s serial number. It is printed on a sticker on the back of the system.

2. Type the following string into the address bar of your web browser on your admin computer (where

<serial> is the serial number of your Standalone VGA Grid):

http://<serial>.local/admin For example: http://95dd40d5.local/admin

3. Enter the user name and password then click OK. The administrative user is ‘admin’. Initially no

password is set. To set a password follow the procedure outlined in User administration.

The Bonjour software used for service discovery is built into the Mac OS. No special actions are needed.

The Avahi implementation used for DNS-based discovery is shipped with most Linux distributions. If necessary, check with your administrator to ensure you have the Avahi package installed.

4. Optionally, navigate to the Network link under the Configuration heading and note the IP address of

the system.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

Connect to the admin interface

Connect via the Epiphan discovery utility

Epiphan provides a utility for discovering Epiphan systems on your network. The Epiphan network discovery utility is a 32-bit Windows executable that works on most 32-bit and 64-bit Windows operating systems. Download and install the utility via this link: http://www.epiphan.com/downloads/NetworkDiscovery.exe.

To access the Standalone VGA Grid's web interface via the Epiphan discovery utility:

1. Launch the discovery utility.

2. Click Search to find all the Epiphan systems on the network; a list similar to the following appears.

3. If more than one system appears, select the one you wish to configure by matching the serial number

listed with the serial number marked on the back of the system.

4. Optionally, note the IP Address shown in the stream properties. Use this for quicker access to the

system on future configuration sessions.

5. Click the Web config button; your browser will open and point to the web interface page.

http://<IP Address for Standalone VGA Grid>/admin

6. Enter the user name and password then click OK. The administrative user is ‘admin’. Initially no

password is set. To set a password follow the procedure outlined in User administration.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

Connect to the admin interface

Connect via persistent static IP address

Your Standalone VGA Grid has a default persistent static IP address, also known as the recoveryIPaddress. If ever you need to set it up on a network that does not support DHCP, or you need to recover from a previous static IP address setting, you can use this method to connect directly to the system for configuration.

To perform this procedure you will need a workstation computer for which you are able to modify network settings.

The Standalone VGA Grid is pre-configured with the following static address defaults:

l IP Address: 192.168.255.250

l Netmask: 255.255.255.252

l Username: admin

l Password: your admin password (by default set to no password)

To access the Standalone VGA Grid's web interface via the persistent static IP address:

1. Establish an Ethernet connection between the Standalone VGA Grid and the workstation by one of the

following methods:

a. Connect the system to a local Ethernet network shared with the workstation.

b. Connect the system directly to the workstation’s Ethernet port using either a regular or a

crossover Ethernet cable.

2. Record the network settings of the workstation being used to connect to the Standalone VGA Grid so

that they can be restored later.

3. Temporarily change the network configuration on the workstation to the following:

a. Use Static IP assignment

b. IP address: 192.168.255.249

c. Subnet mask: 255.255.255.252

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

4. Start a web browser on the workstation and browse to: http://192.168.255.250/admin/

5. Log in as the administrator user with the user name admin and the admin password (by default there is

no password); the web interface page opens.

6. Click the Networking link in the Configuration menu.

7. Select the radio button to use a static address and configure the system with a static IP address and

network settings relevant to the network being used. For specific details about the settings presented, see Configure network settings.

8. Restore the previously saved network configurations on the workstation.

User administration

The Standalone VGA Grid has three configured users:

l admin

l operator

l viewer

By default, none of these users have passwords. For security purposes you should add passwords to the admin and operator accounts.

This section describes the following user administration topics:

l User types and privileges

l Set or change user passwords

l Remove user passwords

l Overcome lost passwords

l Configure LDAP

l Change the logged-in user

l Restrict viewers by IPaddress

User types and privileges

Standalone VGA Grid's three user accounts are admin, operator and viewer. The user account names cannot be changed and the accounts cannot be disabled. By default, none of the accounts have passwords.

Admin

The admin account is the main operator used for all system configuration. This user has access to all options in the web interface.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

User administration

Operator

The operator account is a subclass of the admin account. The operator can log in and view all configuration items but may only make changes to a small number of options. This account is intended for an operator to start and stop recordings, download recordings, switch layouts while live streaming or perform network diagnostics.

Viewer

The viewer account is for all end-users who are permitted to view the streamed channels. By default, when there is no password, users are not prompted for a username and password when viewing a channel. The viewer username and password prompt appears only when there is a viewer password set.

In addition to the global viewer account, each channel can set a viewer password that overrides the global value. See Restrict access to streams for viewers.

Current user

When logged in to the web interface, the current username is displayed at the top right corner of the screen.

User privileges

The following table outlines the privileges for each user:

Table 5 User privileges in the web interface

Action or Menu Option viewer operator admin

View Channel Output

Channel Operations

View Channel Configuration 

Rename a Channel  

Configure Stream Channel  

Configure Stream Sources  

Publish a Stream  

Configure Branding for a Channel  

ü ü ü

ü ü

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

Action or Menu Option viewer operator admin

User administration

Switch Layouts while Streaming/Recording 

Start the Stream Recorder 

Stop the Stream Recorder 

View Recorded FilesList 

Download RecordedFiles 

Delete RecordedFiles 

Source Operations

View Source Configuration 

Rename Source  

Configure Source 

View Source Snapshot 

SystemConfiguration Operations

View System Configuration 

ü ü

Configure Automatic File Upload  

Select External USBDrive Behavior  

Configure FTPServer  

Configure UPnP Sharing  

Configure Network Address  

Configure USBTethering  

Perform NetworkDiagnostics 

Configure Date andTime preferences  

Set or Change User Passwords  

Configure the Touch Screen  

Configure SerialPort Flow Control  

ü ü

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

Action or Menu Option viewer operator admin

User administration

Upload Branding Images  

Upload Branding Templates  

Select BrandingTemplate  

Enable Remote Support  

Backup Device Configuration  

Restore DeviceConfiguration  

RestoreFactoryConfiguration  

Reboot Device (via Web Interface)  

Shutdown Device (via Web Interface)  

Configure Time Until Next DiskCheck  

Perform DiskCheck  

View DiskInformation 

Rebuild/Clean Storage Disks  

ü ü

Upgrade Firmware  

View System Information 

ü ü

Set or change user passwords

By default, admin, operator and viewer have no assigned passwords. Both the admin and the operator user have access to the web admin interface, so you should always set a password for both admin and operator accounts. Refer to your system administrator for your organization’s specific password requirements.

If the admin password is defined and the operator password is undefined, then the operator uses the admin password by default.

In addition to setting global passwords for viewers, you can also set access passwords and IPrestrictions on a per-channel basis from the channel's Streaming page. See Restrict viewers by IPaddress.

Passwords are case sensitive and can use all alpha-numeric keys in the ASCII range. Your password can be up to 255 characters long, but should not include any spaces.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

Setting a user’s password causes the user to be logged out. Be ready to log back in with the new admin password or have operators and viewers log in with the appropriate new password. Viewers may need to refresh their browser window or press play in their media player.

If you lose the admin password, refer to the section Overcome lost passwords.

Changing the admin password while live streaming disrupts the view of the stream for viewer-level users. Complete any admin password changes when there is no live stream in progress.

To set a user password:

1. Connect to the admin interface using your preferred connection mechanism. See Connect to the admin

interface.

2. Login as admin.

3. Select the Access passwords link in the Configuration menu; the password configuration page opens.

User administration

4. Highlight and delete the current password for your selected user (the password is currently masked

as dots).

For security reasons, the current password appears as eight dots regardless of password length, and even if there is no password set.

5. Highlight and delete the confirmation password for the selected user.

6. Select the user’s password field and type a new password for the user.

The new password must have between 1-255 alpha-numeric characters or special characters with no spaces. Passwords are case sensitive.

7. Select the user’s password confirmation field and confirm the new password.

8. Click Apply.

9. If you were logged in as the user whose password you just changed, you are logged out and must log

back in with the new password. If you added or changed the viewer’s password, all viewer’s stream will pause until they log in with the new password.

If desired, you may specify multiple account passwords on the same page before clicking Apply.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

User administration

Remove user passwords

If you want to remove passwords for one or more user accounts, you may do so via the web interface. If you don’t remember the admin password, refer to the section Overcome lost passwords.

Note that viewer passwords can be set on a per-channel basis.

Clearing a user’s password will cause that user to be logged out. Be ready to log back in with the new admin password. If viewers are watching the broadcast when the viewer password is cleared they will be logged out. Viewers may need to refresh their browser window or press play in their media player to trigger the login prompt.

To clear a user’s password:

1. Connect to the admin interface using your preferred connection mechanism. See Connect to the admin

interface.

2. Login as admin.

3. Select the Access passwords link in the Configuration menu; the password configuration page opens.

4. Highlight and delete the current password for your selected user (the password is currently masked as

dots).

For security purposes, the current password appears as eight dots regardless of password length, and even if there is no password set.

5. Highlight and delete the confirmation password for the selected user.

6. Click Apply.

7. If you were logged in as the user whose password you just cleared, you are logged out and must log

back in without a password. If you cleared the viewer’s password, all viewer streams will pause until they log in without a password.

To clear a user’s password on a specific channel:

1. Connect to the admin interface using your preferred connection mechanism. See Connect to the admin

interface.

2. Login as admin.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

3. Click the Streaming link for the channel; the channel's Streaming configuration page opens.

4. From the Access control section do one of the two following things:

a. clear the viewer password field; or

b. select Use global settings from the access control drop down.

5. Click Apply.

User administration

Overcome lost passwords

If you have lost the password for the operator or viewer account, you can log in to the web interface as admin and reset the password using the procedure described in Set or change user passwords.

If you have lost the admin password and you have remote support enabled on the system, you can contact Epiphan support to request a remote password change. See Support. If remote support is disabled, you will need to return the system toEpiphan for password recovery. Contact Epiphan support to discuss this option.

Configure LDAP

You can use the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) for authentication into the system. Specify user roles by using group DNs for users who log in as the administrator, operator or as a viewer.

The system has only one admin user and one operator: LDAP users log in as either the admin or operator, they do not have their own private profiles.

When enabled, LDAP authentication is an alternative to the regular system usernames and passwords. You may still login as admin, operator or viewer using the passwords for those accounts. Furthermore, any LDAPusers with the name admin, operator or viewer are ignored.The local accounts are used instead.

For security reasons, you should configure passwords for the local accounts. See Configure LDAP.

These instructions assume you have a pre-configured LDAP server. The server must support anonymous binding or have a special bind account with search access privileges. (Note that Active Directory does not support anonymous binding.)

LDAP referrals, restrictions and failovers are not supported.

To configure LDAPauthentication for your Standalone VGA Grid:

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

1. Connect to the admin interface using your preferred connection mechanism. See Connect to the admin

interface.

2. Login as admin.

3. Select the Access passwords link in the Configuration menu; the password configuration page opens.

4. Scroll to the LDAPauthentication section.

User administration

5. Click the Enable LDAPauthentication checkbox to enable LDAPauthentication (or uncheck to

disable).

6. Specify the server IPaddress and (optional) port for your LDAPserver(i.e. 192.168.1.101:389) in the

Server address[:port] field.

7. Use the Connection encryption drop-down to specify the type of encryption, if any used by your

LDAP server.

Connection encryption

No Encryption No encryption is used to connect to the LDAP server. The default port is 389.

SSL SSL encryption is used to connect to the LDAP server. The default port is 636.

TLS/STARTTLS

8. Specify the fully qualified DN and password for LDAPbind in the BindDN and Bind password fields.

(The password masked as dots on the screen.) These fields are only needed if your LDAPserver does not support anonymous binding.

9. In Base DN, specify the baseObject in which to search for entries. The system will search this object

and the whole subtree starting at the base DN.

Description/Default port used

The connection is initially unencrypted then upgraded to TLS encryption is used. The default port is 389.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

10. By default the search attribute is uid, which is suitable for a unix environment. Specify a different value

in the Search attribute field, if needed. For Active Directory environments, specify userPrincipalName. The value of this attribute must be unique in the BaseDN.

11. In the Administrators (group DN) field, specify the distinguished name of the group users must be

part of to be logged in as the administrator. Users must have the member or unqueMember attribute for the specified group to be granted Administrator access. If left blank, LDAP is not supported for Administrators(but can still be used for Operators and Viewers).

12. In the Operators (group DN) field, specify the distinguished name of the group users must be part of

to be logged in as the operator. Users must have the member or unqueMember attribute for the specified group to be granted Operator access. If left blank, LDAP is not supported for Operators (but can still be used for Administrators and Viewers).

13. In the Viewers (group DN) field, specify the distinguished name of the group users must be part of to

be logged in as a viewer. Users must have the member or unqueMember attribute for the specified group to be granted Viewer access. If left blank, LDAP is not supported for Viewers (but can still be used for Administrators and Operators).

User administration

14. Click Apply.

When a user of the LDAPserver next visits the admin or viewer page for the system, the system prompts for use the username and password. For ActiveDirectory servers, the user needs to enter his fully qualified username(i.e. username@domainname) in addition to his LDAPpassword.

Users are required to authenticate once to the system and one time per channel they view. Therefore users see a prompt to log in to the system (the system name is shown) and a second time to log in to the channel (the channel name is shown).

In one case, LDAPreplaces the local viewer account instead of working side-by-side with it.

When LDAPis enabled and the viewer account has no password (either there is no global viewer password or the channel overrides the global password with a blank password), the viewer must authentication withLDAP, he may not alternatively use the viewer account with a blank password.

Change the logged-in user

When you log in to the web interface as admin or operator, your browser remembers this configuration and automatically logs you in as the same user when you go back to the site.

Sometimes you need to change from operator to admin, or vice versa.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

To change the logged-in user:

1. Exit your browser completely, open an incognito/private window in your browser, or open a different

browser (i.e. Internet Explorer, Chrome, and Safari are different browsers).

2. Connect to the admin interface using your preferred connection mechanism. See Connect to the admin

interface.

3. You are prompted for a username and password.

User administration

Restrict viewers by IPaddress

The Standalone VGA Grid permits you to restrict which computers can access broadcasts by building a list of allowed and/or denied IP addresses. You can do this at a global level for the system and can also override these settings on a per-channel basis. Both global and per-channel configuration procedures are described below.

IP address restriction is valid for the viewer only and does not affect the web admin interface or the mobile configuration interface.

If your viewer account has a password, your viewers must connect to the system from a computer (or gateway) with a permitted IP address and must also supply the username (viewer) and password before they can view the broadcast.

To restrict access by IP address you need to know the IP addresses, or range of addresses for your viewers. By default all IP addresses are allowed to connect to the broadcast.

If you’re not familiar with creating allow/deny lists, refer to the examples below this procedure for assistance with crafting your lists.

To restrict viewers by IP address:

1. Connect to the admin interface using your preferred connection mechanism. See Connect to the admin

interface.

2. Login as admin.

3. Select the Access passwords link in the Configuration menu; the password configuration page opens.

4. Type allowed IP addresses or address ranges in the Allow IP’s field. Separate addresses with a comma.

5. Type denied IP addresses or address ranges in the Deny IP’s field. Separate addresses with a comma.

6. Click Apply.

To restrict viewers of a specific channel by IPaddress:

1. Connect to the admin interface using your preferred connection mechanism. See Connect to the admin

interface.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

2. Login as admin.

3. Select the Streaming link for the desired channel; the streaming configuration page opens.

4. From the Access Control drop-down, select Use these Settings; local password and Allow/Deny IP

lists are enabled.

5. If desired, type a password for the viewer in the Viewer Password field.

6. Type allowed IP addresses or address ranges in the Allow IP’s field. Separate addresses with a comma.

7. Type denied IP addresses or address ranges in the Deny IP’s field. Separate addresses with a comma.

8. Click Apply.

If a user attempts to connect to the stream from a disallowed IPaddress, access is denied. If connecting by internet browser, the message "IPaddress rejected." is displayed.

The following table describes the applicable fields.

Table 6 IP Based Restriction Fields

User administration

Label Description/Options

Enter individual IP Addresses or IP Address ranges, separated by commas. To specify a range, use a hyphen (-). Optional spaces improve readability.

Users connecting from addresses in this list are permitted to view broadcasts from the

Allow IP's

Deny IP's

system, provided their IP address is not in the Deny IP’s list.

To allow all (except IP addresses in the deny list, if any), leave the field blank.

You can use the Allow list by itself, or in conjunction with the Deny IP’s list as an exception to a rule in the allow list.

Enter individual IP Addresses or IP Address ranges, separated by commas. To specify a range, use a hyphen (-). Optional spaces improve readability.

Users connecting from addresses in this list are not allowed to view broadcasts from the system, unless their IP address is in the Allow IP’s list. If a specific IP address is in both lists, access to the stream is denied.

You can use the Deny list by itself, or in conjunction with the Allow IP’s list as an exception to a rule in the allow list.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

User administration

IPrestriction examples

Allow list with distinct IP addresses

The simplest allow/deny list is to use the list of known IP addresses to craft a list of allowed IP addresses. All other addresses are denied access to the broadcast.

For example if your system is accessible on your local area network (LAN) and you want to make sure only the CEO’s specific desktop, laptop and tablet computers (with IP Addresses 192.168.1.50, 192.168.1.51, and

192.165.1.75, respectively) can connect to the broadcast, construct the following allow list:

Allow: 192.168.1.50, 192.168.1.51, 192.168.1.75

Allow list with a range of IP addresses

Sometimes you’ll want a range of computer IP addresses to connect to your system. This may happen when you have one range of IP addresses assigned to desktop computers (i.e. in the range 192.168.1.1 to

192.168.1.100) and another range assigned to boardroom computers (i.e. the range 192.168.1.200 to

192.168.1.250). If you only want the boardroom computers to connect to broadcasts from the system you can specify the range of boardroom IP addresses rather than needing to type in each individual address. The allow list looks as follows:

Allow: 192.168.1.200-192.168.1.250

Note that we could have specified two of the IP addresses in the previous example as a range.

Allow list with a range of IP addresses and one or more specific IP addresses

Putting the first two examples together, we want to permit access to IP addresses in the range of boardroom computers (192.168.1.200-192.168.1.250) and also want to add the desktop, laptop and tablet computers of the CEO (IP addresses 192.168.1.50, 192.168.1.51, and 192.168.1.75, respectively). Note the first two IP addresses are consecutive, so they can be added as a second range. Add these IP addresses to the list as follows:

Allow: 192.168.1.200-192.168.1.250, 192.168.1.50-192.168.1.51, 192.168.1.75

Your list can have multiple ranges and multiple distinct IP addresses, provided they are separated by commas.

Deny list with distinct IP addresses

Another simple allow/deny list is to use the list of known IP addresses to list specific denied IP addresses. All other addresses are allowed access to the broadcast.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

For example imagine your system is accessible on your local area network (LAN) and you want to allow any computer on the LAN can access the stream except your publicly-accessible boardroom (with IP address

192.168.1.211). You can use the following deny list (leave the allow list empty) to permit all computers except the boardroom computer:

Deny: 192.168.1.211

As with allow lists, your deny list can specify a range of IP addresses, and can specify multiple ranges or distinct IP addresses in a comma-separated list.

User administration

Allow list with a range of IP addresses, distinct IP addresses and an exception

Building on the previous examples, consider the situation where you want the CEO’s computers (192.168.1.50, 192.168.1.51, 192.168.75) and all boardroom computers (192.168.1.200-192.168.1.250) to access the broadcast, with the exception of the public boardroom computer (192.168.1.211). Use both allow and deny lists to create the rule as follows:

Allow: 192.168.1.200-192.168.1.250, 192.168.1.50-192.168.1.51, 192.168.1.75

Deny: 192.168.1.211

Both lists can have multiple ranges and multiple distinct IP addresses, provided they are separated by commas.

Deny list with a range of IP addresses

Converse to the previous examples, consider the situation where you want every computer on the network to access the broadcast, with the exception of the CEO’s desktop, laptop and tablet computers. Additionally, boardroom computers should not be permitted with the exception of the cafeteria computer (IP address

192.168.1.222).

The deny list is an "exception" list for the allow list. So to craft the rule described above we need to allow all the computers in the local subnet, then deny specific sub-ranges including two groups of boardroom computers ensuring the cafeteria computer's IP address is not in the deny list:

Allow: 192.168.1.1-192.168.1.250

Deny: 192.168.1.200-192.168.1.221, 192.168.1.223-192.168.1.250, 192.168.1.50-192.168.1.51,

192.168.1.75

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

View system information

The system information page provides a great deal of useful information about your Standalone VGA Grid. Use the Info link from the Configuration menu to view your current firmware level, system hardware version (if available) and currently configured channels.

To view system information:

1. Connect to the admin interface using your preferred connection mechanism. See Connect to the admin

interface.

2. Login as admin.

3. From the web interface, scroll to the Configuration menu option.

4. Click Info; the system information page opens.

3. Use the information displayed to get an overview of your system, troubleshoot problems or view

streams for configured channels.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

Configure network settings

By default the Standalone VGA Grid uses DHCP to obtain an IP Address via an Ethernet-based network. If you want to change the network settings, or if you’re having network-related issues, this section covers the network-related topics.

l Verify IP Address and MAC address

l Configure a static IP address

l Configure DHCP

l Tether to a mobile network

l Perform network diagnostics

Verify IP Address and MAC address

The web interface shows you the system’s MAC address and current IP Address via the Network configuration page.

To view settings on network configuration page:

1. Connect to the admin interface using your preferred connection mechanism. See Connect to the admin

interface.

2. Login as admin.

3. Select the Network link in the Configuration menu; the network configuration page opens.

4. Note the MAC address and Current IP address listed at the top of the page.

Table 7 Network InformationFields

Label Description/Options

MACAddress

A media access control address (MAC address) is a unique identifier for the network interface. The value is read-only and cannot be changed. You may need to share this value with your system administrator.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide Configure DHCP

Label Description/Options

Reflects the current internet protocol address (IP address) of the system. This

Current IPAddress

value is either obtained from the DHCP server (if using DHCP) or is the configured static IP address. The Standalone VGA Grid supports IPv4 addresses. It does not support IPv6 addresses.

Configure DHCP

Occasionally, such as when moving your system to a new network, your Standalone VGA Grid must switch from static IP address allocation to dynamic allocation via DHCP. You can accomplish this in four ways:

l Restore factory settings, clearing all your custom settings. See Perform factory reset.

l Load a configuration file that uses DHCP networking. See Load a saved device configuration.

l Apply a configuration preset that usesDHCP networking. See Configuration presets.

l Change the network settings. See the procedure below.

To configure use of DHCP for networking:

1. Connect to the admin interface using your preferred connection mechanism. See Connect to the admin

interface.

2. Login as admin.

3. Select the Network link in the Configuration menu; the network configuration page opens.

4. Select the radio button use DHCP, if not already selected.

5. Change the MTU Size value only if needed. See the table below for information on maximum

transmission unit (MTU) values.

6. Click Apply to save the changes; the changes are saved and a message appears asking you to reboot.

7. Select the Maintenance link under the Configuration menu; the maintenance page appears.

8. Click the Reboot Now button near the bottom of the page.

9. Wait for the system to reboot.

10. Connect to the admin interface using your preferred connection mechanism. SeeConnect to the admin

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

interface.

11. Log as admin and reload the Networking page to verify all changes were applied.

The following table describes the fields applicable when configuring DHCP on the Standalone VGA Grid.

Table 8 DHCP Fields

Label Description/Options

Use DHCP Select this radio button to dynamically obtain an IP address at boot up.

Configure a static IP address

Use static address

MTU Size

Select this radio button to use the configured static IP address.

The maximum transmission unit (MTU) specifies the maximum packet size for transfer on the network. The default value is 1500, which is the largest value allowed by Ethernet at the network layer. It’s best if all nodes in your network use the same value, so only change this value if you know other nodes use a different value.

Configure a static IP address

Your network administrator may require you to use a static IP address for your Standalone VGA Grid.

To configure a static IP address:

1. Connect to the admin interface using your preferred connection mechanism. See Connect to the admin

interface.

2. Login as admin.

3. Select the Network link in the Configuration menu; the network configuration page opens.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

4. Select the radio button use static address, if not already selected.

5. Enter the desired IP Address and Network Mask.

Only IPv4 addresses are supported.

6. Enter the Default Gateway address. If you do not have a default gateway for your network, enter the

same static IP address as in the previous step.

The default gateway cannot be left blank. If no default gateway is specified, unexpected behavior occurs.

7. Enter the DNS Server address. If you do not have a DNS server, enter the new static IP address of the

system.

8. Change the MTU Size value only if needed. See the table below for information on maximum

transmission unit (MTU) values.

Configure a static IP address

9. Click Apply to save the changes; the changes are saved and a message appears asking you to reboot.

10. Select the Maintenance link under the Configuration menu; the maintenance page appears.

11. Click the Reboot Now button near the bottom of the page.

12. Wait for the system to reboot.

13. Open the Web interface using the new IP address.

14. Log as admin and reload the Networking page to verify all changes were applied.

The following table describes applicable fields when setting a static IP address.

Table 9 Static IPAddress Fields

Label Description/Options

Use DHCP Select this radio button to dynamically obtain an IP address at boot up.

Use static address Select this radio button to use the configured static IP address.

The internet protocol address (IP Address) to assign. This value is may be obtained

IP Address

from your system administrator. The Standalone VGA Grid supports IPv4 addresses. It does not support IPv6 addresses.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

Label Description/Options

Also called the subnet mask, this value denotes a range of IP addresses. This value

Network Mask

Default Gateway

DNS Server

MTU Size

may be obtained from your system administrator, determined from another computer on the same subnet, or calculated using an online subnet calculator.

The network node that serves as an access point to the rest of the network. This value cannot be blank unless you are using DCHP. Specify the system’s IP address if you don’t have a default gateway on your network.

The domain name system server (DNS server) translates human-readable hostnames into corresponding IP addresses. Specify the system’s IP address if you don’t have a DNSserver on your network. This value cannot be blank unless you are using DHCP.

Tether to a mobile network

The Standalone VGA Grid supports tethering to a mobile device via USB. Tethered networking can work sideby-side with Ethernet routing and either networking system can be a back-up for the other.

When the system falls over to the backup network type (i.e. from Ethernet to mobile, or vice versa) all streaming sessions with clients or servers directly connected to the system are closed and the clients will need to reconnect. You may need to provide a new stream URL(containing the new IPaddress) to your viewers. See the channel information page to get the new stream URL.

By contrast, actively published streams are closed and reconnected via the secondary network (mobile or Ethernet) automatically, permitted the required publishing server is accessible from the new network.

To configure tethering to a mobile network:

1. Configure the mobile device to allow tethering via USB.

2. Connect the mobile device to the Standalone VGA Grid with a USB cable.

3. Connect to the admin interface using your preferred connection mechanism. SeeConnect to the admin

interface.

4. Login as admin.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

5. Select the Network link in the Configuration menu; the network configuration page opens.

6. Click the drop-down box next to Use phone/tablet connection in the USB phone/tablet section; the

following choices appear:

Table 10 Mobile Tethering Options

Label Description/Options

Disabled Specifies that no USB tethering is permitted.

Perform network diagnostics

No tethering

Prefer ethernet

Prefer tethering

7. Select your choice based on the table above.

8. Click Apply.

Specifies that USB tethering is available for connecting a mobile device as a configuration utility (i.e. using the web browser), but no mobile data is used.

When chosen, the system tries to use the Ethernet network first. It switches to use the mobile network (tethering) when the Ethernet network is no longer available. To prevent viewer interruptions, mobile data will continue to be used until the mobile network is down or publishing is restarted.

When chosen, the system tries to use the mobile network (tethering) first. It switches to use Ethernet (hard-wired) when the mobile network is no longer available. To prevent viewer interruptions, Ethernet data will continue to be used until the Ethernet network is down or publishing is restarted.

Select this setting if you only have a mobile network.

Perform network diagnostics

If your Standalone VGA Grid has network trouble, you can perform basic network troubleshooting tasks from the Network configuration page. In addition to providing the system’s IP address and MAC address to your network administrator, you can also ping an IP address or use traceroute to determine the path taken to an address.

Not all networks support ping and traceroute.

To ping or traceroute an IP address:

1. Connect to the admin interface using your preferred connection mechanism. See Connect to the admin

interface.

2. Login as admin.

3. Select the Network link in the Configuration menu; the network configuration page opens.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

4. Click ping or traceroute; an animation appears to the left of the address to indicate processing is

underway.

5. Upon completion of the command, read the results from the console-like display is shown below the

Network Diagnostics setting.

Perform network diagnostics



Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

Configuration presets

In situations where you have changing configuration requirements for your Standalone VGA Grid, you can use configurationpresets to quickly and easily apply sets of pre-configured settings.

For an overview of configuration presets, see:

l Configuration presets overview

This section also covers the following related topics:

l Configuration groups

l Create a configuration preset

l Apply a configuration preset

l Apply theFactory default configuration preset

l Update a configuration preset

l Delete a configuration preset

There are also some very important configuration preset considerations to review:

l Configurationpreset considerations

Configuration presets overview

Configuration presets make it easy to use your Standalone VGA Grid in a variety of situations without needing to reconfigure it. Configuration presets divide the system's settings into the following configuration groups. (For a complete list of what is included in each group see Configuration presets overview.)

System Sources Automatic file uploads

Network Channels

Using the Configuration presets section of the Maintenance page, you can create configuration presets using any number and combination of the configuration groups. Mix and match the settings groups saved together to create sets of configuration settings needed for each situation. You also always have a special Factory default configuration preset (which cannot be erased) to help you return to factory configuration without destructively erasing files saved to the system hard drive (see Configuration presets overview

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

It's important to note that configuration presets are applied over existing settings. They affect only the settings groups included in the preset, all other settings are unaffected. Read the Configuration presets

overview section carefully to understand caveats around using configuration presets.

Configuration presets overview

Example of configuration presets in action

A recording and streaming company brings Standalone VGA Grid to a conference as part of a portable rack. Each conference session needs to be streamed and recorded with a picture in picture layout that includes identifying information about the presenter in the metadata and the background image for the stream. Automatic file upload is needed to make sure the files are uploaded right after each session is complete.

The company could bring Standalone VGA Grid in a factory configured state and get it ready between each session, but this requires a trained operator and doesn't allow much time to get multiple operations completed.

Instead, the company could connect the system to their own corporate network before the show, upload the required backgrounds, and create channel configuration presets for each conference track. They can also create network and automatic file upload (AFU) presets for each of the home and remote locations. Once at the conference, the only changes necessary are to apply the network and AFU preset upon arrival, and the channel configuration presets between sessions.

Channel configuration presets include links to background files used, but do not include the files themselves see Branding content. Be careful when deleting background images and logo files.

Internal network and AFU preset

The company uses this preset when configuring and testing from their corporate network. It uses a static IP address on their corporate network and AFU that uses ftp to upload to a local ftp server.

Conference network and AFUpreset

The company applies this preset to the Standalone VGA Grid when they arrive at the conference. It changes only the network and AFU settings (using a conference-specific IP address and secure file transfer to an ftp server).

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

When applying this configuration preset, all other information including passwords, date/time, channels and source configurations, remains the same.

Configuration presets overview

Conference session 1 preset

The company applies this preset from the corporate office when testing and at the conference prior to conference session 1 starting. All other preset groups remain unchanged, this preset only affects the channel (s) and their configuration. This preset includes a channel with a link to the correct background filename (the background file was uploaded during pre-show configuration at the corporate office) and has metadata specifying the speaker's name.

 

Conference session 2 preset

The company applies this preset from the corporate office when testing and at the conference prior to conference session 2 starting. After applying this preset the files recorded from session 1 remain present on the system and continue to upload via sftp (if not yet complete), but the channels reflect the session 2 background file name and presenter name.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

Configuration presets are a versatile tool to help you use Standalone VGA Grid in a variety of changing conditions. Try it yourself and see!

Configuration groups

 

Configuration groups

The following table describes what settings are saved with each configuration group.

Table 11 Configuration group definitions

Group Name Symbol Settings included in the configuration group

Date and time settings, serial port settings, remote support settings, custom

System

Network Network settings and tethering configuration.

Sources All audio and video source configuration settings.

Channels

AFU Automatic file upload type and parameters.

disk check schedule, access passwords, deny/allow lists and LDAPconfiguration settings

All channel configuration data and current recording state, all layouts, all recorder configuration data and current recording state, individual and global UPnP settings.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

Note that branding content, recorded files and SFTP/SCP private keys are not included in any configuration preset.

Updloaded EDID configurations are applied immediately to the system and remain the norm for the source until a new EDID is uploaded. Configuration presets do not affect EDIDs.

Create a configuration preset

You can create as many configuration presets as you need. The system keeps track of which configuration groups are part of the preset and you provide a name that lets you know the significance of the preset.

Note that configuration presets that include network or system settings require a system reboot when applied.

To create a configuration preset:

1. Connect to the admin interface using your preferred connection mechanism. See Connect to the admin

interface.

2. Login as admin.

3. Select the Maintenance link in the Configuration menu; the maintenance page opens.

4. Scroll to the Configuration presets section.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

Apply a configuration preset

5. Type a description for your preset in the Name field.

6. Ensure only the desired configuration groups are selected from the Sections group.

7. Click Save; your configuration preset appears in the list.

Apply a configuration preset

When you apply a configuration preset, the system settings for all included configuration groups are updated. Other settings on the system are not affected. For example if you apply a preset that includes the configuration groups channnels and automatic file upload, your network settings, passwords, time server, source configurations, etc are not modified. Similarly if you apply a configuration preset that has only network settings included, only the network settings change.

If you apply a preset that has the network or system configuration group, a reboot is required.

You can verify which configuration groups are included in a preset by looking at the list to the right of the configuration preset name. The term 'all' means all groups are included. Otherwise groups are listed individually.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

You may apply multiple presets one after another. If you apply two (or more) configuration presets that include a particular configuration group, the settings (for that group) from the last applied preset are the active settings. In short, last in wins.

To apply a configuration preset:

1. Connect to the admin interface using your preferred connection mechanism. See Connect to the admin

interface.

2. Login as admin.

3. Select the Maintenance link in the Configuration menu; the maintenance page opens.

4. Scroll to the Configuration presets section.

5. Click Apply next to the configuration preset you wish to apply.

Apply a configuration preset

6. The system asks for confirmation before proceeding.

If the configuration preset includes the network or system configuration groups, a reboot is necessary.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

7. ClickOK to apply the configuration preset; the configuration preset is applied.

8. The system reboots if needed.

Apply theFactory default configuration preset

Your Standalone VGA Grid comes with a special factory default configuation preset.This configuration preset cannot be erased and is always presented at the top of the configuration presets list. It contains all possible configuration settings groups.

Using the Factory default configuration setting is similar to using the Factory reset method (see Perform

factory reset) with a few important differences.

In short, the Factory default configuration preset is less destructive than Factory reset. This table describes the exact differences.

Table 12 Factory default configuration preset vs Factory reset



Deletes all created channels

Deletes all recorded files in channels

Deletes all created recorders

Deletes all recorded files in recorders

Resets network configuration

Resets touch screen configuration

Resets user passwords

Deletes all created configuration presets

Deletes all branding files

Resets all Source settings

Deletes all Automatic file upload settings

Factory default

configuration preset

ü ü

Factory reset function

To apply the factory default configuration preset, follow the instructions in Apply theFactory default

configuration preset and select the Factory default preset. A reboot is required.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

Update a configuration preset

If you need to update a configuration preset to include different configuration groups, or simply new settings for the same groups, you can do so easily via the web interface.

To update a configuration preset:

1. Connect to the admin interface using your preferred connection mechanism. See Connect to the admin

interface.

2. Login as admin.

3. Select the Maintenance link in the Configuration menu; the maintenance page opens.

4. Scroll to the Configuration presets section.

5. Find the preset you wish to change from the presets list.

6. Copy the name of the preset into the Name field.

7. Selected the desired configuration group(s) from the Sections group.

8. Click Save; a confirmation dialog asks you to confirm you want to overwrite the configuration preset.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

9. Click OK; your configuration preset is updated in the list.

Delete a configuration preset

You may want to trim the list of configuration presets to only those that are needed for your ongoing needs. You can delete all configuration presets at once by doing a factory reset, or you can delete individual configuration presets from theMaintenance page.

To delete a configuration preset:

1. Connect to the admin interface using your preferred connection mechanism. See Connect to the admin

interface.

2. Login as admin.

3. Select the Maintenance link in the Configuration menu; the maintenance page opens.

4. Scroll to the Configuration presets section.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

5. Click delete (x) next to Apply for the configuration preset; a confirmation message appears.

Configurationpreset considerations

6. Click OKto confirm you want to delete the preset; the preset is deleted.

Configurationpreset considerations

Configuration presets are groups of settings applied to the system, leaving other settings intact. The following considerations will help you get the most from your configuration presets.

Channel and recorder index number behavior

Each channel and recorder has an index number. The first channel created on a system is channel 1, subsequently channel 2, 3, 4, etc. Recorders are also created starting at index 1 with numbers incrementing as new recorders are created. The channel (or recorder) index number is found to the left of the channel or recorder name in the web interface:

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

Configuration presets that contain the channels configuration group specify the channels in the preset by their index number. This means if you have channels 1, 2, 3 and 4 when you save your preset, applying that preset will overwrite the configuration of your current channels with indexes 1, 2, 3 and 4. If prior to applying that preset you also had channels with indexes 5 and 6, the configuration settings for those two channels are when the preset is applied(because the preset only has 4 channels).

There are three areas where channel (and recorder) index numbers affect what happens when applying configuration presets. Read Recording stateRecorded files (in channels and recorders) and Deleting channels for more information.

Configurationpreset considerations

Recording state

The Configuration groups section of this chapter shows that each channel and recorder's recording state is included in the channels configuration group. This means that if a channel (or recorder) is recording at the time you create a configuration preset, it will immediately start recording when you apply that preset. Similarly, if a configuration preset is saved when channels or recorders are not recording, those channels and recorders will not be recording when the preset is applied (this means a channel or recorder may stop recording as a result of applying the preset).

For example, when applying a preset with channel 3 set to record:

l If channel 3 exists prior to applying the preset and is already recording, the file will continue recording

uninterrrupted unless the recording file type is differentin the preset (in which case a new file is started).

l If channel 3 exists prior to applying the preset and is not already recording, it immediately begins

recording.

l If no channel with index 3 exists prior to applying the preset, the channel is created and it immediately

begins recording.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

Configurationpreset considerations

Recorded files (in channels and recorders)

Channels and recorders keep a list of files recorded in theirRecordings section of the web interface. These files remain on the system even if the channel or recorder configuration is changed or removed as a result of applying a configuration preset.

For example, prior to applying your configuration preset, you have channels with indexes 1, 2 and 3; each of these has five recording files. When you apply a configuration preset that has channels with index 1 and 2 only, you'll notice those channels each still have the same 5 recording files. Channel with index 3 is no longer present, but the files are not lost!

Overwritten channel files are still available. To access and download/delete these recorded files, enter the following into the address bar: http://<deviceIP>/admin/channelN/archive or http://<deviceIP>/admin/recorderN/archive, where N is the index of the removed channel/recorder.

For example, if a Channel with index 3 is no longer present, its corresponding files can be accessed by entering the following into the address bar:

l http://192.168.0.183/admin/channel3/archive

If you now create a new channel with index 3 (or load a preset that contains a channel with index 3), you'll find it starts with five recorded files in the Recordings section. These are the same recorded files that existed at the start of this example.

Furthermore, if you delete any of the recordings, you are deleting the only instance of those files. Using our previous example, if you delete one of the five recordings from channel index 1, you'll find that even after applying different presets channel 1 will have only four recorded files.

Deleting channels

Recorded files are stored on the system based on their channel or recorder number. All files saved for channel index 1 are in one folder, and all files for recorder index 2 are in another. When you delete a channel (or recorder), you permanently delete all recordings for that channel (or recorder) even if those recordings were made while a different preset is applied.

Applying a configuration preset with a different set of channels or recorders is not the same as deleting a channel.

When deleting a channel or recorder that has recorded files, the web interface warns you of other configuration presets that use the same channel or recorder index numbers. When you see this prompt, we recommend you take a moment to look through the Recordings list to make sure you're OK to proceed with permanently deleting all the recorded files.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

Configurationpreset considerations

Branding content

The channels configuration group includes the filenames for logos and backgrounds used in the currently configured channels. It does not include the image files. Therefore it is important to make sure that between uses of different channel-related configuration presets you do not delete or replace files listed in the Branding Content section of the web interface. There is currently no configuration group that includes the Branding Content files.

EDIDs

EDIDs are uploaded and immediately applied to a specific source. This change remains in place until the user uploads a new EDID or requests the factory EDID is applied by using the Restore default EDID button (see

Force the capture card to use a specific EDID

If you apply a preset that needs a special EDID, be sure to remember to upload that EDID after applying the configuration preset.

Configuration presets are not user profiles

Configuration presets should not be confused with the concept of user profiles. Specifically, the following issues arise from trying to use configuration presets as user profiles:

l recorded files are not removed between application of configuration presets (users could see each

other's files)

l configuration presets can be overwritten and deleted with no password (users could affect each other's

presets)

l branding and recorded files can be deleted, affecting more than just the currently applied configuration

presets (users could erase branding or recordings belonging to other users)

l applying a configuration presets does not clear the settings from groups not part of the preset (user

information is not private)

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

Configure date and time

The Standalone VGA Grid uses the current date and time in naming recorded files and when synchronizing and timestamping inputs from multiple sources (i.e. when synchronizing an audio and a video source). The admin interface lets you specify date and time settings to ensure they are correctly configured for your time zone and your network.

This section covers the following date and time-related topics:

l Verify date and time settings

l Change the time zone

l Configure synchronized time (NTP, PTP v1 and RDATE)

l Configure a local NTP server

l Configure the date and time manually

Verify date and time settings

The current date, time, time zone, and synchronized time protocol settings are shown when the Date and Time configuration page is loaded in the Standalone VGA Grid web interface.

To view settings on the date and time configuration page:

1. Connect to the admin interface using your preferred connection mechanism. See Connect to the admin

interface.

2. Login as admin.

3. Select the Date and Time link in the Configuration menu; the date and time configuration page opens

and the following information is displayed:

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

The date and time configuration page also indicates whether the system is currently using synchronized or manually set time, and whether or not a local network time protocol (ntp) server is running.

The following table describes the date and time configuration fields.

Table 13 Date and Time Options

Label Description/Options

Time Zone The currently selected time zone.

Configure synchronized time (NTP, PTP v1 and RDATE)

Enable time synchronization

Protocol The time synchronization protocol.

ServiceIPAddress The time synchronization server address.

Set time manually

Date

Time

Whether or not a time synchronization protocol is being used for setting time. (If not selected, time is set manually.)

Whether or not time is set manually. (If time is not being set manually, a time synchronization protocol is used.)

The current date. (This is the current date even if the radio button Set time manually is not selected.)

The current time. (This is the current time even if the radio button Set time manually is not selected.)

Configure synchronized time (NTP, PTP v1 and RDATE)

By default the Standalone VGA Grid uses the network time protocol server (NTP server) protocol and a time server from National Research Council Canada. You can continue to use this time server or configure a new server that is more appropriate for your network and location. Your system administrator can provide the correct time synchronization server settings.

To set the time synchronization method:

1. Connect to the admin interface using your preferred connection mechanism. See Connect to the admin

interface.

2. Login as admin.

3. Select the Date and Time link in the Configuration menu; the date and time configuration page

opens.

4. Click the Enable time synchronization radio button if it is not already selected.

5. Choose one of the following choices from the Protocols drop down:

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

Table 14 Synchronized Time Options

Label Description/Options

NTP

RDATE

PTP v1

6. Tailor the synchronization protocol with the required parameters as described below.

Configure synchronized time (NTP, PTP v1 and RDATE)

Network Time Protocol (NTP) is used for clock synchronization over the internet. There are many publicly available NTP servers you can use, or your company may have its own NTP server. For more information about NTP and to find NTPservers, refer to http://support.ntp.org/bin/view/Servers/WebHome.

RDATE is a tool for querying the current time from the network. It is generally considered obsolete and has been replaced by NTP. It's offered here for backwards compatibility with older timekeeping systems.

The Precision Time Protocol (PTP) is used for clock synchronization over the internet. It has clock accuracy in the sub-microsecond range, making it more granular than NTP.

7. If NTP is selected:

a. Enter the IP address or server name for the NTP server in the Server IP Address field.

NTP uses UDP packets and port 123. If the system is behind a firewall and accessing an external NTP server, UDP packets must be permitted on port 123.

8. If RDATE is selected:

a. Enter the IP address or server name for the RDATE server in the Server IP Address field.

b. Select an update interval from the drop down box.

9. If PTP v1 is selected:

a. Select the multicast address of PTP v1 server from the PTPdomain drop-down.

PTP Domain Description

Default PTPat multicast address 224.0.1.129

Alternative 1 PTPat multicast address 224.0.1.130

Alternative 2 PTPat multicast address 224.0.1.131

Alternative 3 PTPat multicast address 224.0.1.132

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

PTP uses UDP packets and ports 319 and 320 . If the system is behind a firewall and accessing an external PTP server, UDP packets must be permitted on ports 319 and 320.

10. Click Apply.

Configure the date and time manually

By default the Standalone VGA Grid uses NTP for time synchronization. If your system does not have access to a time synchronization server, or if you do not wish to use one, you can choose to manually set the date and time.

To manually set the date and time:

1. Connect to the admin interface using your preferred connection mechanism. See Connect to the admin

interface.

2. Login as admin.

3. Select the Date and Time link in the Configuration menu; the date and time configuration page

opens.

4. Type the desired date in the Date field. Use the format yyyy-mm-dd.

5. Type the desired time in the Time field. Use the format hh:mm:ss.

6. Click Apply.

Change the time zone

By default the system has the Canada/Eastern time zone set. Configuration of the time zone is necessary to ensure synchronized time servers provide the correct time to the system.

To select another time zone:

1. Connect to the admin interface using your preferred connection mechanism. See Connect to the admin

interface.

2. Login as admin.

3. Select the Date and Time link in the Configuration menu; the date and time configuration page

opens.

4. Select the new time zone from the Time Zone drop down box.

5. Click Apply.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

Configure a local NTP server

The Standalone VGA Grid can run a local NTP server.

To configure a local NTP server:

1. Connect to the admin interface using your preferred connection mechanism. See Connect to the admin

interface.

2. Login as admin.

3. Select the Date and Time link in the Configuration menu; the date and time configuration page

opens.

4. Select the check box Enable local NTP server.

PART 2:

Capturing is the process of taking the signals from your video and audio sources and encoding them in a format that is ready for streaming and recording.

If you followed the quick start guide, you're already capturing, streaming and possibly recording your sources. The section of the guide helps you fine tune and troubleshoot the capturing process.

When using Standalone VGA Grid, you can stick to all the default capture and encoding settings, or you tweak them to set the up exactly as you like.

You can capture a single source at once, capture multiple sources in a custom channel or even switch between sources or groups of sources(layouts) while streaming and recording.

Techniques for creating channels to capture, stream and record a single source; to create custom channels with multiple sources and multiple layouts; and how to switch layouts while capturing are all described in this section.

The chapters in this section include:

l Channels

l Live video mixing / switching

Capture

l Sources

l Troubleshooting

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide What is a channel?

What is a channel?

Standalone VGA Grid uses Channels to organize and display content captured from DVI, VGA, HDMI, SDI, S- Video and audio.

Channels make your sources (DVI, VGA, HDMI, SDI, S-Video and audio) available for streaming and recording.You choose how you want to configure your sources (and extras like images and text overlays) into layouts within your channel.

DVI2PCIe cards do not support audio over HDMI. Standalone VGA Grid systems with DVI2PCIe cards will not be able to capture audio through HDMI sources.

Standalone VGA Grid gives you a lot of control over how your sources are streamed. You are not limited to creating a Channel list that is a one-to-one reflection of your Sources list. You can make channels from some or all of your sources and you can add the same source to multiple single-source or multi-source layout channels.

For example, you could use the same source in all three of these situations, concurrently:

- as the only source in Channel 1 at 1080p, 30fps, 10,000 kbps;

- as the only source in Channel 2 at 720p, 15 fps, 2,000 kbps;

- in Channel 3 as part of a multi-source layout with picture in picture.

All channels can be streamed and recorded simultaneously. Following the example above, you could record any combination of those three channels, and stream one, two or all three of them using any available streaming methods.

In addition to creating multi-source channels, you can customize your channels by adding a images, company information, corporate colors and time stamps. Standalone VGA Grid has a visual layout editor to help you create exactly the layout you want to stream.

For each channel you create, you can use the layout editor to create one or more channel layouts. Then, while recording and/or streaming, you can switch live between different layouts.To learn about creating layouts, read Create a custom channel and Custom channel layout editor. To learn how to do live video mixing / live video switching, see Live video mixing / switching.

You can now create and upload customized “No Signal” images for use in your channels. These images are assigned to a specific source and display in any channel where the source is used but has no input detected. For more information on how to create a "No Signal" image, see Add a No Signal image to a source

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

Through channel configuration and fine-tuning you can maximize your stream quality, minimize your processing requirements and bandwidth. You can also specify how the video is presented and streamed to sharing destinations and viewers. Topics in this section include:

l Create a simple channel

l Configure encoding

l Create a custom channel

l Custom channel examples

l Custom channel layout editor

l Add a video source (custom channel)

l Add an audio source (custom channel)

l Add an image (custom channel)

l Add a text overlay (custom channel)

l Live video mixing / switching

Create a simple channel

l Preview a channel

l Delete a channel

l Rename a channel

While configuring channels, consider opening a live preview of the channel in another tab or browser window so you can see the changes as they are applied, refer to Preview a channel.

Create a simple channel

Channels arrange the output from sources into a viewable and recordable stream. Although there are may ways you customize a channel, this procedure walks you through the most basic channel setup with a single source. For multiple-source channels and advanced layout editing see Add channel metadata. (You can always update this channel later to use multiple sources or multiple layouts.)

After creating this channel you'll be ready to stream it using the system default settings. Instructions to configure encoding, branding and CDNstreaming are described in separate procedures.

To create a simple channel:

1. Connect to the admin interface using your preferred connection mechanism. See Connect to the admin

interface.

2. Login as admin.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

3. Ensure a DVI,HDMI, VGA or SDI input source is connected to the device and you know the name of the

source it is connected to. If you're not sure, see What is a source?.

4. From the web interface, scroll to the Channels menu option. A list of existing channels, if any is

displayed.

5. Click Add channel located at the bottom of the list; the Sources page opens.

6. You're automatically editing the Default layout in the channel layout editor.(By default a 16:9 visual

layout editor with a black background is shown.)

Create a simple channel

7. Click Add new itemto add a layer to the layout; a drop down appears allowing you to choose the kind

of item to add to your layout.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

8. Select Video Source from the drop down; the new item is added to the layout and the Source settings

box appears on the right side of the page.

Create a simple channel

9. Click the Source drop down and select your source; your source appears in the visual layout editor

above.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

10. For best results, keep the Keep aspect ratio when scaling checkbox checked in the Source

settings box.

11. Use the red and white source handles in the visual editor to stretch your image to the full size of the

layout.

Create a simple channel

12. If audio is desired, scroll down and choose an audio source from the displayed list.

13. Click Save at the lower right corner of the page; the layout changes are saved.

Because this is a single-source channel with only one layout, the channel's name is updated to display the source’s name next time you view the channel. Click the channel name to refresh and view this, if desired. If you wish to change a channel's name directly, see Rename a channel.

Your channel is ready for basic streaming and recording.

By default (on a new channel), when the source doesn't have a 16:9 aspect ratio, the system automatically detects the correct aspect ratio and updates the layout after you leave and return to the layout editor screen. This happens because the encoding page has the Use current signal resolution as frame size setting selected by default. If you want to change the aspect ratio for your channel, see Configure encoding .

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

There are a lot of creative things you can do next with your channel, including creating more layouts and editing this layout to add images and more sources. See Create a custom channel

Create a custom channel

Standalone VGA Grid has two styles of channels.

1. Simple channels with a single source that fits the full screen, as discussed in Create a simple channel

2. Custom channels with one or more layouts, sources, background matte color and images.

Both types of channels are created using the same interface. In fact, custom channels are the same thing as simple channels, but they're called out separately in this manual because they are more complex. We call a channel a custom channel (or custom layout channel) when it has multiple sources, image elements, multiple layouts or any combination of those items.

So the only distinction between simple channels and custom channels is whether you choose to add any extra elements to the channel.

When making simple channels, your source takes up the whole screen, but with custom channels, you can organize sources, pictures and text overlays in different locations on your screen. We call these layouts, and each custom channel you create can have multiple layouts.

If you want to change the way things appear in your stream while streaming (aka video switching or video mixing), you'll need to create one layout for each of the views you want for your stream. Later, while you are streaming, you can switch live between the layouts using the web UI.

If you're planning to do live switching with your channel, we recommend you set the frame size to a fixed size instead of using the default automatic detection of source frame size. Setting the frame size to a fixed value ensures you don't experience any stream interruptions if the source frame size changes due to layouts that contain a single source that has a different frame size than those in other layouts.

As you saw when creating a simple channel, the first thing you need to do is create your (first) layout. Before getting started with custom channel layouts we recommend you review the Custom channel layout editor and get some inspiration from our Custom channel examples. Then use the remaining topics in this section to help you create and configure your perfect custom channel layout(s)!

l Create a custom channel or layout

l To upload an image

l Delete an uploaded image

l Add an image (custom channel)

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

l Add a video source (custom channel)

l Add an audio source (custom channel)

l Set the background color (custom channel)

l Add a text overlay (custom channel)

l Delete or move a layout (custom channel)

l Rename a layout (custom channel)

Once you have your layouts created, read about Live video mixing / switching to learn how to change between layouts while streaming and/or recording.

Each layout you add to your channel adds a bit of overhead on Standalone VGA Grid- and more complex layouts take more resources. So it's a good idea to make sure you delete any layouts you're not using.

Create a custom channel

Custom channel layout editor

The visual channel layout editor gives you full control on size and position of the pictures, sources and text overlays you add to your channel.

You can edit existing channel layouts (even ones you initially created as simple channels) or you can create a new channel or a new layout within a channel to work with. To add a new layout, see Create a custom channel

or layout.

To select a layout for editing:

1. Connect to the admin interface using your preferred connection mechanism. See Connect to the admin

interface.

2. Login as admin.

3. Select your channel from the channels menu and click Sources for the channel.

4. Select the layout you want to edit by clicking anywhere in the layout row; the layout editor shows the

current state of the selected layout for your channel and the row for the layout you're editing is highlighted green.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

5. If this is a new layout, you are presented with an empty layout area and a black background matte.

The Sources page and channel layout editor is broken into a few pieces.

Create a custom channel

Layout selector

First there is the layout selector. From here you can pick which layout to preview/edit, create a new layout, delete a layout or select which layout is active.

Visual channel layout editor

Next is the channel layout editor where you can add pictures, sources and text overlays to your layout. You can also choose the background matte.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

Create a custom channel

The heart of the channel layout editor is the layout area, which has the same frame size and aspect ratio as your stream. As you add items to the layout, they appear in the layout area. The currently selected item is presented in full colour while other items appear transparent.

To position the items you can use the mouse to click and drag, or you can use the manual positioning values to set a location as a percent of the screen (by typing a value followed by the percent sign, e.g. 4%) or in pixels (by typing a value followed by px, e.g. 16px).

You can resize items by clicking and dragging the red and white circles at the corners of the items or by using the manual positioning values. For example entering 0% in all four of the outside boxes will stretch the item to the full size of the layout area.

You can modify the settings for each item by clicking the row. The item's settings box appears. See Add an

image (custom channel), Add a video source (custom channel) and Add a text overlay (custom channel) for

more details on item settings.

Audio source selector and save button

The last section of the Sources page is the audio selector and the (very important) Save button.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

Select the audio source(s) you want to add to your channel.

Sources are mixed at equal levels. If you have one source it's added at 100% it's volume. With two audio sources, each is added at 50%, and so on.

Create a custom channel

When you're done all your changes, use the Save button to save the changes to your layout.

If you accidentally try to leave the layout without saving, Standalone VGA Grid reminds you to save before leaving.

Ready to make some layouts of your own?Try these topics:

l Create a custom channel or layout

l Add a video source (custom channel)

l Add an audio source (custom channel)

l Add an image (custom channel)

l Add a text overlay (custom channel)

l Delete or move a layout (custom channel)

l Set the background color (custom channel)

l Rename a layout (custom channel)

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

Create a custom channel

Custom channel examples

Here are a few examples of what you can do with just two sources and two picture files. Use your imagination to create the layouts you want!

Layout example Description

One source, at the full size of the channel. (Simple channel)

To get this look: Add one source to the layout, select keep aspect ratio and stretch to fit the full layout size.

One source, with a green background matte.

To get this look:Select a background color. Add a source to the layout and size appropriately, leaving the background matte visible.

One source with a logo (.png with transparency) in the bottom left corner.

To get this look: Upload an image with transparency through the Branding Content page. Follow the steps from the first example to add the source, then add a picture item and place it where desired.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

Layout example Description

Create a custom channel

One source with a text overlay in the bottom right corner.

To get this look: Follow the steps from the first example to add the source, then add a text overlay item to the layout. Enter your text in the settings box and place it where desired.

One source with a background image.

To get this look: Upload your backround image (must have the right aspect ratio) through the Branding Content page. When creating the layout, first add the picture and stretch it to the full screen. Next, follow the steps from the first example to add the source.

Two sources with a background image.

To get this look: Follow the steps for the example above, then add and position a second source.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

Layout example Description

A few more examples, this time including a 4x3 source.

Layout example Description

Create a custom channel

Two sources (one cropped to a new aspect ratio), a background image and a logo.

To get this look: Upload your background and logo images through the Branding Content page. When creating the layout, first pick the background, then the sources, and lastly the logo. Size and position each. For the second source, click "cropping" in the source settings and select the desired crop.

One source, at the full size of the channel. (Simple channel)

To get this look: Add one source to the layout, select keep aspect ratio and stretch to fit the full layout size. (Note the channel broadcasts in 4x3 if you have

Use current signal resolution as frame size selected on the encoding

page.)

One 4x3 source in a 16x9 frame, with a green background matte.

To get this look:Make sure your encoding page has a 16x9 frame size. From the sources page, select a background color. Add a source to the layout and stretch to the full height of the screen, leaving the background matte visible.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

Layout example Description

Time to get started on your own layouts! See:

l Create a custom channel or layout

l Custom channel layout editor

Create a custom channel

A 4x3 source and a cropped 16x9 source together with a background image.

To get this look: Upload an image with transparency through the Branding Content page. Follow the steps from the first example to add the sources and use the crop utility to crop the second source to a square aspect ratio.

Create a custom channel or layout

We call a channel a custom channel (or custom layout channel) when is has multiple sources, image elements, multiple layouts, or any combination of those items. Custom layouts give you full control on size and position of the pictures, sources and text overlays you add to your channel.

Custom local channels use HD Encoders that have been added as sources (see Add an HD Encoder

as a source (custom channel)). Each HD Encoder used adds overhead to the VGAGrid

Concentrator. Ensure you monitor CPU usage when using multiple HD Encoders.

Use this procedure to help you create a new channel or layout, then use the related procedures to add elements to your layout.

If you're planning to use live switching, we strongly recommend you rename the channel rather than using the default channel name (Rename a channel). See the note at the bottom of this topic to avoid streaming and recording issues resulting from adding or deleting layouts when live switching.

To create a new custom channel (with default layout) or add a layout to an existing channel:

1. Connect to the admin interface using your preferred connection mechanism. See Connect to the admin

interface.

2. Login as admin.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

3. Do one of the following to make the Sources page appear:

a. select your channel from the channels menu and click Sources for the channel; or

b. select the Add channel link to create a new channel.

4. Next, pick one of the following actions to create or select a layout to edit:

a. select the layout you want to edit by clicking anywhere in the layout row; or

b. click Add Layout to create a new layout.

5. The layout editor shows the current state of the selected layout for your channel and the row for the

layout you're editing is highlighted green.

Create a custom channel

6. If this is a new channel or layout, you are presented with an empty layout area with a black background

matte.

Now that you've created your layout, you can start adding items to it. See these topics:

l Add a video source (custom channel)

l Add an audio source (custom channel)

l Add an image (custom channel)

l Add a text overlay (custom channel)

l Delete or move a layout (custom channel)

l Set the background color (custom channel)

l Rename a layout (custom channel)

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

Create a custom channel

Important note for channels with multiple layouts

By default (and historically), Standalone VGA Grid's channels are named automatically based on the content in the channel.

When a channel has only one layout, and that layout has only one source (regardless of whether or not there are pictures or overlays in the layout), the channel name is the same as the source name

For example: By default, a channel with one layout that has HDMI-A in it will be named HDMI-A.

When you add a second layout to a channel, the channel name changes to a generic name Channel X (where X is the channel index number). Normally this wouldn't pose any problem, but the changing name does have some side effects:the stream is stopped and restarted, and the channel's recorder (if recording) is stopped and a new file is started.

Furthermore, when you delete layouts in a channel until there is only one layout (with one source) left, the channel name reverts to the source name.

To avoid any issue with changing channel names on channels where you'll have more than one layout, we strongly recommend you rename the channel to a custom name (Rename a channel. This will ensure no automatic channel name changes.

Add a video source (custom channel)

To stream a source you need to add it to a channel. In the case of custom channels with layouts, you can add one or more sources to the layout area.

You can add a source to a layout on an existing channel or you can create a new channel.If you're not sure how to create a channel or a layout, start by reviewing the first few steps in the topic Custom channel layout

editor or start with Create a simple channel.

To add a source to your layout:

1. Connect to the admin interface using your preferred connection mechanism. See Connect to the admin

interface.

2. Login as admin.

3. Follow the steps in Custom channel layout editor or Create a custom channel or layout to get to the

channel layout editor.

4. From the channel layout editor, click Add item; a drop down box appears. (If you have any other items

already in your layout, the new item appears at the top of the list.)

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

5. Select Video Source from the drop down; the new item is added to the layout and the Source settings

box appears on the right side of the page.

Create a custom channel

6. Click the Source drop down and select your source; your source appears in the visual layout editor

above.

7. For best results, select the Keep aspect ratio when scaling checkbox from the Source settings

box.

8. If desired, select Crop from the Source settings box and use the red and white handles to draw a box

around the section of the source you'd like to have in the layout; your cropped selection changes in the layout area.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

9. Moving back to the layout area, use the mouse, the keyboard or the manual position value fields to

position and resize your source. You can click and drag, stretch using the handles in the layout area, or type values into the fields. See the note below for more information.

Create a custom channel

10. If needed, re-order the items in your layout by clicking and dragging items in the item list (under the

Add new item link).

For example, if you added your video source over a text overlay, the video source could conceal the overlay. To fix it, drag the video source item below the text item in the list, or vice-versa.

11. When your layout is complete, scroll to the bottom of the page and click Save to save your work.

Other things you may want to add to your layout:

l Add an audio source (custom channel)

l Add an image (custom channel)

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

l Add a text overlay (custom channel)

l Delete or move a layout (custom channel)

l Set the background color (custom channel)

l Rename a layout (custom channel)

A note about item positioning and sizing

There are four ways to position and size items in the layout area

1. using the mouse

2. using the keyboard

3. using the manual positioning values with percents

4. using the manual positioning values with pixels

Create a custom channel

To use the mouse:

Click and drag to move the item. Click and drag the red and white circles to resize the item as you wish. Using this method you can make quick changes that are in increments of approximately 5% of the width or height of your layout area. For more refined movements, hold the down the Ctrl key on your keyboard while dragging the item with the mouse.

To use the keyboard:

Use the arrow keys on the keyboard to move the item up, down, left or right in the layout. Changes are in increments of approximately 5% of the height or width of the layout area. Make more refined movements by holding down the Ctrl key on your keyboard while pressing the up, down, left or right keys. You can also hold the Shift key while using the arrow keys to control the size of the item on the layout. Hold both Ctrl and Shift for fine-grained size control.

Using percents:

Specify a whole number, followed by a percent sign (e.g. 4%) in any of the manual positioning fields. The image will move and resize to honor the space you specified. For example to move the item in 12% from the left side of the layout area, enter 12% in the bottom left positioning value square. The image will resize to accomodate your change. If you further enter 15% in the bottom right positioning value square, the image will be centered and take up 76% of the width of the layout area.

Using pixels:

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

pixels and percents changing only the boxes you want to use pixel values. At any time you can switch back to percents by typing a percent.

Create a custom channel

Add an audio source (custom channel)

To stream the audio for a source you need to add it to a channel and make sure audio is enabled in the channel's encoding page. (Audio is enabled in the encoding page by default.)

Audio must be added to each layout for your channel. You can use the same audio for each layout, or if you desire, you can have different layouts use different audio. If you're not sure how to create a channel or a layout, start by reviewing the first few steps in the topic Custom channel layout editor or start with Create a

simple channel.

To add an audio source to your layout:

1. Connect to the admin interface using your preferred connection mechanism. See Connect to the admin

interface.

2. Login as admin.

3. Follow the steps in Custom channel layout editor or Create a custom channel or layout to get to the

channel layout editor.

4. Select the audio source(s) you want to add to your channel. Sources are mixed at equal levels. If you

have one source it's added at 100% its volume. With two audio sources, each is added at 50%, and so on.

5. When your layout changes are complete, scroll to the bottom of the page and click Save to save your

work.

6. Follow the steps in Configure audio codec to ensure audio is enabled for your channel and to select

your audio settings.

Other things you may want to add to your layout:

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

l Add a video source (custom channel)

l Add an image (custom channel)

l Add a text overlay (custom channel)

l Delete or move a layout (custom channel)

l Set the background color (custom channel)

l Rename a layout (custom channel)

Create a custom channel

To upload an image

You can customize your channels by adding pictures as backgrounds, overlays or information. Collectively the images you upload to the system are known as branding images.

For best results always upload images that are already the correct size needed in your layout. Background images should match the frame size of your channel (frame size is set in the Encoding configuration page).

There are two ways to upload branding images. You can upload images to the branding page, as described in this procedure, or you can drag and drop images using the procedure described in Add an image (custom

channel). Note that using the procedure below is the only way to see whether or not you'll be overwriting an

existing image.

To upload a branding image to the branding page:

1. Connect to the admin interface using your preferred connection mechanism. See Connect to the admin

interface.

2. Login as admin.

3. Click Branding Content under the Configuration menu; the configuration page opens.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

4. Click Choose File; a browser page opens.

5. Navigate to the folder on your admin computer that contains the logo.

Create a custom channel

6. Select the file, the following file formats are supported: PNG and JPEG.

The maximum supported file size is 3840×2160. No warning or error message is displayed if your image is too large. Files that exceed the maximum size do not appear in the dropdown list when selecting an image.

7. Click Open; the file is added to the File/template to upload field.

8. Click Upload; the file is uploaded and displayed in the Other files section.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

See the following topics to learn how to apply the logo, background, overlay text or other images to a channel:

l Add an image (custom channel)

l Add a text overlay (custom channel)

Create a custom channel

Add an image (custom channel)

You can use images in your custom channel layouts to create a background for your source, to add your corporate logo, or to add relevant information about the event you're streaming.

Standalone VGA Grid supports png (PNG) and .jpg (JPEG) images. You can upload any image from 16×16 pixels to a maximum size of 3840×2160, however it's strongly recommended that you upload exactly the size you need to avoid having your image scaled.

In earlier releases, there were separate procedures for adding backgrounds and logos to a channel. These actions are now both considered adding an image to a custom channel layout and can be accomplished with the steps below.

You can add a picture to a layout on an existing channel or you can create a new channel.If you're not sure how to create a channel or a layout, start by reviewing the first few steps in the topic Custom channel layout

editor or start with Create a simple channel.

To add a picture to your layout:

1. Connect to the admin interface using your preferred connection mechanism. See Connect to the admin

interface.

2. Login as admin.

3. Follow the steps in To upload an image or Create a custom channel or layout to upload your image, if

not already uploaded. If you like, you can also use the drag and drop technique described below.

4. Follow the steps in Custom channel layout editor to get to the channel layout editor.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

5. From the channel layout editor, click Add item; a drop down box appears. (If you have any other items

already in your layout, the new item appears at the top of the list.)

6. Select Picture; the Picture Settings section appears on the right side of the page.

Create a custom channel

7. If you haven't already uploaded your image, you can drag and drop it from your desktop to the gray

Please select picture box. (Note: no warning is displayed if the image is too large or will replace another file).

8. If you have already uploaded the image, click the Use image drop down to select an image you have

uploaded to the system;

9. Your picture appears in the Picture settings preview and is added to the layout area. It is selected for

sizing and positioning.

If your uploaded image does not appear in the list, ensure it doesn't exceed the maximum file size of 3840×2160.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

10. For best results, keep the Keep aspect ratio when scaling checkbox selected in the Picture

settings box. (This is selected by default.)

11. In the layout area, use the mouse, the keyboard or the manual position value fields to position and

resize your image. For background images, click and drag to fill the full layout area. See the note below for more information on positioning techniques.

Create a custom channel

12. If needed, re-order the items in your layout by clicking and dragging items in the item list (under the

Add new item link).

For example, if you added your background image after adding a video source, the background image conceals the video source. To fix it, drag the video source item above the background image item in the list, or vice-versa.

13. When your layout is complete, scroll to the bottom of the page and click Save to save your work.

Other things you may want to add to your layout:

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

l Add a video source (custom channel)

l Add an audio source (custom channel)

l Add a text overlay (custom channel)

l Delete or move a layout (custom channel)

l Set the background color (custom channel)

l Rename a layout (custom channel)

A note about item positioning and sizing

There are four ways to position and size items in the layout area

1. using the mouse

2. using the keyboard

3. using the manual positioning values with percents

Create a custom channel

4. using the manual positioning values with pixels

To use the mouse:

To use the keyboard:

Using percents:

Using pixels:

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

If you need to specify an exact amount in pixels (rather than percent) you can type a pixel value in any of the positioning value squares followed by the characters px (e.g. 56px). You can mix and match pixels and percents changing only the boxes you want to use pixel values. At any time you can switch back to percents by typing a percent.

Create a custom channel

Add a text overlay (custom channel)

Adding the date and time, channel name or other custom text as an overlay on your video is an easy way to customize your stream.

You can add an overlay to a layout on an existing channel or you can create a new channel.If you're not sure how to create a channel or a layout, start by reviewing the first few steps in the topic Custom channel layout

editor or start with Create a simple channel.

To add a picture to your layout:

1. Connect to the admin interface using your preferred connection mechanism. See Connect to the admin

interface.

2. Login as admin.

3. Follow the steps in Custom channel layout editor or Create a custom channel or layout to get to the

channel layout editor.

4. From the channel layout editor, click Add item; a drop down box appears. (If you have any other items

already in your layout, the new item appears at the top of the list.)

5. Use the item type drop down box to select Text; the Text settings box appears and the layout area is

updated with the text overlay.

Standalone VGA Grid User Guide

6. In the Text field, specify the overlay text you want to add to the layout. Use your own text and any

combination of the shortcut codes listed at the end of this procedure.

For example:Use this string:

Create a custom channel

%A %B %d, %G. Live streaming channel Auto A.

to obtain these results (Thursday February 26, 2015. Live streaming channel Auto A.):

7. Use the font drop down to select the size of your text.

8. For best results, select the Keep aspect ratio when scaling checkbox from the Text settings box.

(This is selected by default.)

9. In the layout area, use the mouse or the manual position value fields to position and resize your text

overlay. (You may first need to change the height of the text box handles before you can proceed with resizing or positoning.) See the note below for more information on positioning techniques.

10. If needed, re-order the items in your layout by clicking and dragging items in the item list (under the

Add new item link).

For example, if you added your overlay text before adding a video source, the video source conceals the overlay text. To fix it, drag the overlay text item above the video source item in the list, or vice-versa.

11. When your layout is complete, scroll to the bottom of the page and click Save to save your work.

100

epiphan video Standalone VGA Grid User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

What's New in Release 3.15.3?

Table of contents

Start here

Standalone VGA Grid Overview

AV inputs

What's in the box?

Tech specs

Quick Start

Step 1: Physical set-up and power-on

Step 2: Admin discovery and login

Step 3: Set up the video source

Step 4: Configure the channel

Step 5: Testing the stream

Step 6: Recording the stream

What’s Next?

The admin interface

Connect to the admin interface

User administration

View system information

Configure network settings

Verify IP Address and MAC address

Configure DHCP

Configure a static IP address

Tether to a mobile network

Perform network diagnostics

Configuration presets

Configuration presets overview

Configuration groups

Create a configuration preset

Apply a configuration preset

Update a configuration preset

Delete a configuration preset

Configure date and time

Verify date and time settings

Configure synchronized time (NTP, PTP v1 and RDATE)

Configure the date and time manually

Change the time zone

Configure a local NTP server

What is a channel?

Create a simple channel

Create a custom channel