This publication contains confidential, proprietary, and trade secret information. No part of this document may be
copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated, or reduced to any machine-readable or electronic format without
prior written permission from VBrick. Information in this document is subject to change without notice and
VBrick Systems assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccuracies.VBrick, VBrick Systems, the
VBrick logo, StreamPlayer, and StreamPlayer Plus are trademarks or registered trademarks in the United States and
other countries. Windows Media is a trademarked name of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other
countries. All other products or services mentioned in this document are identified by the trademarks, service
marks, or product names as designated by the companies who market those products. Inquiries should be made
directly to those companies. This document may also have links to third-party web pages that are beyond the
control of VBrick. Use these links at your own risk. The use of such links does not imply that VBrick endorses or
recommends the content of any third-party web pages. Some VBrick products use open source software provided
by third parties. VBrick supports the Open Source Initiative (OSI) and this source code is freely available at http:/
/www.vbrick.com/opensource.
FCC Notice
This equipment carries the CE mark and is UL listed in the U.S. and Canada. This equipment has been tested and
found to comply with the limits for Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a
commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which
case the user will be required to correct the interference at their own expense. This Class A digital apparatus meets
all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations. Cet appareil numerique de la
Classe A respecte toutes les exigences do reglement dur le materiel brouilleur du Canada.
About VBrick Systems
Founded in 1997, VBrick Systems, an ISO 9001 certified vendor, is a privately held company that has enjoyed rapid
growth by helping our customers successfully introduce mission critical video applications across their enterprise
networks. Since our founding, VBrick has been setting the standard for quality, performance and innovation in the
delivery of live and stored video over IP networks—LANs, WANs and the Internet. With thousands of video
appliances installed world-wide, VBrick is the recognized leader in reliable, high-performance, easy-to-use
networked video solutions.
VBrick is an active participant in the development of industry standards and continues to play an influential role in
the Internet Streaming Media Alliance (ISMA), the MPEG Industry Forum, and Internet2. In 1998 VBrick
invented and shipped the world's first MPEG Video Network Appliance designed to provide affordable DVDquality video across the network. Since then, VBrick's video solutions have grown to include Video on Demand,
Management, Security and Access Control, Scheduling, and Rich Media Integration. VBrick solutions are
successfully supporting a broad variety of applications including distance learning and training, conferencing and
remote office communications, security, process monitoring, traffic monitoring, business and news feeds to the
desktop, webcasting, corporate communications, collaboration, command and control, and telemedicine. VBrick
serves customers in education, government, healthcare, and financial services markets among others.
VBrick's EthernetTV-STB Set Top Box is a leading-edge digital set top box that provides a
low-cost standalone decoder for high-quality MPEG-1, MPEG-2, and MPEG-4 video assets.
It's an ideal MPEG decoder for cost-sensitive installations that require large-scale
deployment. The user-friendly set top box is controlled like a cable TV receiver using an IR
remote control. It can be used to access live streams, to request stored content from a videoon-demand server, or to access the Web. The STB is a component in VBrick's EtherneTV
Media Distribution System. Other key components include:
•EtherneTV Portal Server – The ETV Portal Server is a video portal, permitting end
users to view live and on-demand MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 and other streams
on a PC, Macintosh, or set top box.
•EtherneTV Video-on-Demand Servers – Provides all standard video-on-demand
(VoD) features including support for MPEG-1, MPEG-2, and MPEG-4.
•VBrick Hardware Encoders/Decoders – Rugged, reliable video appliances that can
reside anywhere on your network to provide either distributed or high-density centralized
encoding/decoding of MPEG-1, MPEG-2, and MPEG-4 video.
Organization
Preface
Installation – provides an overview of the EtherneTV Media Distribution System and
instructions for initial STB setup and configuration.
Configuration
for your particular environment.
Local Configuration
for Local mode. In Local mode, the program listings are hard-coded in an XML file.
System Upgrade
code available from VBrick.
Serial Port Passthrough
as cameras or networked devices.
Using the Set Top Box
navigate, how to use the interface, and other basic STB concepts.
– explains how to login and how to set customizable configuration parameters
– explains how to modify the xml file used when the STB is configured
– explains how to download and install software when there is updated STB
– explains how to use the serial port to control external devices such
– explains how to get started using the system. It explains how to
Font Conventions
Arial bold is used to describe dialog boxes and menu choices, for example: Start > All
Programs > VBrick
Courier fixed-width font is used for code elements (C++, HTML) as well as
filenames, directories, etc.
Bold Courier fixed-width font is used to indicate user input in keyboard
commands, scripts, etc.
Web addresses are displayed as hyperlinks in the format: http://www.VBrick.com
Italics are used to emphasize specific words or phrases.
STB Admin Guidev
Related Documents
The following documents describe key components in VBrick's EtherneTV solution.
•EtherneTV-STB Quick Start Guide
•EtherneTV-STB Release Notes
•EtherneTV Portal Server User Guide
•EtherneTV Portal Server Admin Guide
•EtherneTV-NXG VOD Quick Start Guide
•EtherneTV-VOD W Quick Start Guide
•EtherneTV-VOD WM Quick Start Guide
•VB4000-5000-6000 Administrator Guide
viPreface
Installation
Overview
EtherneTV Media Distribution System provides the ability to view live streams and stored
assets directly on a television or monitor by using the EtherneTV-STB Set Top Box decoder.
The EtherneTV Set Top Box is integrated with the EtherneTV Portal Server and the
EtherneTV-NXG Video on Demand server to enable viewing of MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and
MPEG-4 pre-recorded and live streams. The EtherneTV-STB can also be deployed as a
standalone decoder without the need for an MCS. The STB can be configured to operate in
one of three modes:
on page 10 for details.
When the installation of set top boxes includes an ETV Portal Server, the set top box is
directed to the portal server for user control; the graphics and user interface reside on the
ETV Portal Server. When the set top box is deployed independently of the portal server, it
comes equipped (in local mode) with a user interface and internal graphics. The Set Top Box
can be configured through a web browser on a PC in either
Chapter 1
MCS, Local (standalone), Local-Fullscreen (standalone). See Start Mode
Local mode or MCS mode.
Topics in this chapter
Overview
Using the Command Prompt
Initial Setup
Figure 1. Ethernet-TV Media Distribution System
STB Admin Guide1
Using the Command Prompt
You can use a Command Prompt interface to quickly perform a variety of tasks related to
STB configuration and connectivity using the
to open a Command Prompt interface on the STB. Use whatever method is comfortable and
available. Once connected, they all work the same way. You can use:
•Wireless keyboard – Type
Ctrl-Alt-F1 to access the command prompt using the wireless
keyboard (or a standard keyboard connected to the PS/2 port); type
•Terminal emulation – Connect a terminal (or a PC running terminal emulation
software) to the serial port; refer to Serial Port Passthrough
you cannot modify serial port parameters using this method. VBrick recommends using
Hyperterminal Private Edition 6.3 from Hilgraeve
poorly using the Hyperterminal application shipped with Windows.) When using
Hyperterminal as a terminal emulation program, configure as follows:
1. Open Hyperterminal and go to
pman configuration utility. There are three ways
File > Properties > Settings.
Ctrl-Alt-F2 to exit.
for pinout details. Note that
. (The configuration utility works
2. Set "Function, arrow, and control keys act as" to
3. Set Emulation to
4. Click the
Terminal Setup button.
VT220 or VT320.
Terminal Keys.
5. Configure 25 rows by 80 columns.
6. Set Terminal Mode to
7. Click
OK twice when done.
Cursor keypad mode.
•Teln et – Connect to the STB from a PC running terminal emulation software. Vbrick
recommends using PuTTY
version 0.56 Windows-based freeware or the standard Telnet
client shipped with RedHat Linux. (The configuration utility works poorly using the
Telnet client shipped with Windows or with Hilgraeve Private Edition 6.3).
Table 1 . Common Command Prompt Actions
Command Prompt ActionType
Reboot the STB
View Network Configuration
Edit the Local UI
Configuration File
Test Network Connectivity
reboot -f
ifconfig
cd /wfs/localui
vi stbLocalUIData.xml
:q!
(to exit vi)
ping <ip_address>
Clear the Screenclear (or Ctrl-L)
Change TV Resolution
File Transfer
Get Current Software revision
setres (see PAL Configuration on page 6)
ftp
tasteversion
Modify STB Configurationpman – This program provides command line access to
the same configuration parameters as the management
interface described in the remainder of this document.
See Using pman
2EtherneTV Media Distribution System
below for a brief overview.
Installation
Using pman
pman is an text-based configuration program that runs from the Unix shell on the set top box.
Its functionality mirrors the web-based configuration tool and you can use
all STB configuration parameters. In a typical scenario, you use a keyboard (wireless or PS/2)
to open a Unix shell and you launch
pman from that shell. You can also run pman using
terminal emulation or Telnet.
TTo ru n pman using the wireless keyboard:
pman to set or edit
1.Type
Ctrl-Alt-F1 to access the Unix shell using the wireless keyboard (or a standard
keyboard connected to the PS/2 port).
2.At the
3.Then type
VBrick-STB login: prompt, enter the username and password (root, admin).
pman to launch the text-based pman configuration utility.
4.Navigate using the arrow keys; select fields or apply changes using the
5.Select
<...> to exit to a higher level in the menu.
6.When done, type
Initial Setup
The VBrick EtherneTV Set Top Box is shipped with Audio/Video, S-Video, and power cables,
and a handheld IR remote control unit. (An optional wireless keyboard is also available from
VBrick.)
Table 2 . STB Front Panel – Left to Right
Enter key.
Ctrl-Alt-F2 to exit.
Infrared SensorAbove LEDs. Used for IR remote control and wireless keyboard.
WaitingBlinks red during initial start-up.
TransferBlinks white when accessing flash memory.
PowerSteady green when power is applied.
On/OffOn/Off push button.
Table 3 . STB Rear Panel – Left to Right
Power PlugConnects to power cord.
STB Admin Guide3
VGA PortUsed to view video on a VGA monitor.
Serial PortUsed for Serial Port Passthrough
or to open a command line window.
PCI Card SlotNot used.
S-VideoConnect to standard TV.
VideoComposite video out.
Audio Left/RightAudio out left and right.
USB Ports (2)Connect USB mouse and/or keyboard.
SPDIFDigital audio. Not supported.
LAN1Connect to local area network.
LAN2Not used.
PS/2Connect PS/2 keyboard or mouse.
Connecting to the Network
TTo connect the set top box to a TV and the network using the cables provided:
1.Attach the set top box video-out to a TV using the left (yellow) connector or the S-Video
connector.
2.Connect the set-top box audio out (left and right) to a TV.
3.Connect the set-top box to the network using the LAN1 port.
4.Connect power cord to a power source.
Setting the IP Address
You need to know the IP address (or host name) in order to run the web-based STB Admin
Configuration
configured or because it is configured for retrieval by DHCP and the DHCP server has not
provided it, the STB will default to a host name based on its MAC address.) By default, the set
top box is configured for DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) and will
automatically retrieve an IP address from a DHCP server if present. If a DHCP server is not
available, you can configure the set top box with a static IP address. The STB is set to a
default IP address of
to avoid conflicts. You can find this IP address using a keyboard connected to the PS/2 port
or by using a terminal connected to the serial port as explained below.
NoteBy default, DHCP is used to retrieve a dynamic IP address for the STB. If you are
TTo determine the STB IP address:
1.If a DHCP server is present, go to Finding the DHCP IP Address
address of your STB in DHCP mode.
2.If a DHCP server is not present, go to Assigning a Static IP Address
IP address other than the default.
application. (If the host name is not available, either because it has not been
172.17.11.111 as a convenience. In most cases, this should be changed
not using a DHCP server, you must configure the STB to use a static IP address; the
default static address is
172.17.11.111.
to determine the IP
to manually assign an
4EtherneTV Media Distribution System
Installation
Finding the DHCP IP Address
TTo determine the IP address of the set top box when configured using DHCP:
1.Connect a keyboard and TV monitor to the set top box and apply power. (Use the
optional wireless keyboard or a PS/2 keyboard). Wait for the box to completely power up
before continuing.
2.Press
3.At the prompt type
4.Reboot by powering the STB on and off using
Ctrl-Alt-F1 on the keyboard to open a command line window.
ifconfig and press Enter. This shows the IP address, the network
interface configuration, and other parameters.
Power push button on front of unit.
NoteIf DHCP is enabled and
DNS via DHCP is configured to yes, the configured domain
searchlist and domain name servers are ignored. The DHCP server must provide
the IP address of the DNS server for host name resolution to work properly. If the
DHCP server does not supply a default domain or domain searchlist, fully qualified
domain names must be used wherever an IP address or domain name is configured
(for example in the MCS Location, Receive Address, Local UI location, or home
page location on the Video Setup configuration page).
Assigning a Static IP Address
TTo assign a static IP address using a command line window:
1.Connect a keyboard and TV monitor to the set top box and apply power. (Use the
optional wireless keyboard or a PS/2 keyboard). Wait for the box to completely power up
before continuing.
2.Press
3.To enter the setup program, type
4.Select
5.Select
6.Change
7.When prompted, enter the default (case sensitive) User name and Password: root and
8.Click Enter to reach OK and then click Enter.
9.Change
10. Change
11. Select IP address using the down arrow and the
12. Select and enter the
13. Leave the Ethernet interface
14. Enter the IP address of the Nameserver as follows:
Ctrl-Alt-F1 to open a command line window.
pman and press Enter.
Parameters (using the arrow keys and Enter).
Network > Ethernet.
DHCP Enable to Static
admin
DNS via DHCP to No.
Hostname via DHCP to No. For entries indicated with an asterisk (*), use the
arrow keys to move the cursor to the correct entry and use the spacebar to select the new
option.
Enter key. Using the keyboard, enter the
IP address obtained from your network administrator and press
NetMask, Gateway addresses, and Hostname using the same
Enter.
procedure as selecting the IP address above.
Mode of operation at the default Auto (auto-negotiate).
(Other options are selectable but in most networks you should only select a different
option if necessary to interoperate with your network equipment.)
a. Select
STB Admin Guide5
Network (using the down arrow and the Enter key).
b. Select Network again.
c. Select
Domain NameServer IP Addresses and enter the Nameserver IP addresses. (If
there is more than one, separate the entries with the pipe character (|), for example
172.16.1.11|172.16.1.10.)
15. When done, use the up arrow key to reach <. . . > and select using the
screen. Answer
Yes when prompted to apply changes and Exit to return to the user
prompt level. Wait until the changes are applied and the interface returns; otherwise the
changes may be lost.
16. Reboot by powering the STB on and off using
PAL Configuration
The setres command than can be executed from the Linux shell. This command lets PAL
users change the screen resolution. Although this command can be executed from the
Command Prompt or from Telnet, it is designed to be used from the serial port since a PAL
user without an NTSC or VGA monitor has no other choice if the STB IP address is
unknown. The syntax of the
setres pal <username> <password>
setres ntsc <username> <password>
Model Numbers
Enter key on each
Power push button on front of unit.
setres command is:
The STB model number is shown on a label attached to the bottom of the unit. The
functionality in the following table is cumulative. The model at the bottom of the list inherits
all features and functions from the previous model. Any firmware is compatible with any
model; all models support MPEG-1, MPEG-2, and MPEG-4 streams.
Model NumberEnhancements
8000-0044-0000Base model.
8000-0044-0001Improved MPEG-1 quality.
8000-0044-0002Serial port added.
8000-0044-0003Closed caption support added.
6EtherneTV Media Distribution System
Configuration
Overview
The STB configuration application is used to change the default settings for the STB. Once
the IP address is obtained through the Command Prompt interface (see Setting the IP
Address on page 4), you can access the set top box by typing the IP address into the Address
field of a web browser, such as Internet Explorer. When the first page is displayed, select
Log in from the navigation bar at the top of the page.
Topics in this chapter
Overview
Configuration
Login
TTo login to the set top box:
Chapter 2
1.Enter the IP address of the STB in a browser and click
displayed.
2.Enter the
window. This window is used to access all system parameters. Most commands described
in this document are accessed via the
User name and Password and click Start. This displays the Administration
Configuration button.
Log in when the first page is
User nameDefault User name:
PasswordDefault Password:
STB Admin Guide7
root. Lower case, case sensitive.
admin. Lower case, case sensitive.
LogoutExits the configuration application.
System InformationProvides system-level information including version number,
networking configuration, and memory usage. Note that the version
number is shown in the upper-right corner of each window.
System TimeUse to set system time.
System UpdateUse to update the software. See System Upgrade
ConfigurationUse to set all configuration parameters described in this document.
Saving Changes
Once logged in you can navigate and change Configuration parameters as necessary. Each of
the configuration screens has the same options at the top. When done, click
changes you have made. Do not click
Log outLogs out the current user. You can log back in as a different user if
ApplySaves any configuration changes.
RefreshRefreshes the window with the last saved information.
ExitReturns the Administration page from anywhere in the application.
Configuration
on page 27.
Apply to save any
Apply after each change.
necessary.
Once you are logged in, click Configuration to display the four sub-categories of
configuration settings for the set top box. Note that the
8EtherneTV Media Distribution System
VBrick_Host_Name shown on the
Configuration
following screens is a configurable option; see Network Settings on page 14 for more
information.
Video SettingsThese settings generally relate to the video stream, for example Start
Mode, MCS Location, Receive Address, etc.
Network Settings
These settings include Network, Ethernet, and Management SAP
settings.
Display Settings
General Settings
These settings let you adjust the resolution of your monitor.
These settings include Serial Port, Security, System Update, etc.
Video Settings
Start Mode
MCS Location
Receive Address
STB Admin Guide9
Local UI Location
Home Page Location/Home Page Enable
Main Volume/Line 1 Volume
RTSP Streaming
Data Buffering Seconds
Buffer Check for Underflow
Lowest Bitrate for Buffer Check
Audio Data Port/Video Data Port/CC Data Port
RTP Data Port
Proxy Type, HTTP Proxy Host and Port
Options Panel Login
Aux1–Aux8
Start Mode
The EtherneTV STB can operate in one of three modes described here. Use MCS mode if
there is an ETV Portal Server (formerly MCS) installed on your network. Otherwise you must
Local or Local-Full Screen mode.
select
MCSUse if the installation includes the EtherneTV Portal Server.
LocalUse if the installation does not include the EtherneTV Portal Server.
If Local, the site administrator must configure the Program Guide. See
Local Configuration
on page 21 for more information.
Local-FullscreenUse if the desired operation is to set the unit to decode one channel
and operate in full screen mode at boot up. If you select Local-
Fullscreen mode, you must also enter a Receive Address; see below.
MCS Location
MCS LocationWhen the start mode is configured for MCS, this parameter
determines the IP address of the ETV Portal Server that the STB will
obtain its program listing information from. Enter the IP Address of
the portal server. The format is
172.12.12.12.
Receive Address
Receive AddressWhen the Start mode is configured for
parameter determines the IP address of the stream to be decoded. The
choice of receive address/program info and stream type of the desired
video must be entered here and must follow the syntax examples
shown in Table 1,
Receive Address Syntax. Note that you can use a
hostname or numeric IP address wherever an
the hostname is entered in the local DNS server.
Local-Fullscreen, this
<ipaddr> is called for if
10EtherneTV Media Distribution System
Table 1 . Receive Address Syntax
Configuration
Multicast MPEG-1
Multicast MPEG-2
Unicast or Multicast MPEG-4 with
Remote SDP File
Unicast or Multicast MPEG-4 with
Local SDP File
Unicast MPEG-1
Unicast MPEG-2
RTSP MPEG-1 for Video on Demand
(EtherneTV NXG only)
RTSP MPEG-2 for Video on Demand
(EtherneTV NXG only)
RTSP MPEG-1 for Video on Demand
(EtherneTV VoD-W only)
RTSP MPEG-2 for Video on Demand
(EtherneTV VoD-W only)
RTSP@MULTICAST_MPEG1://group:port/
RTSP@MULTICAST_MPEG2_TRANSPORT://group:port/
http://<ipaddr>/<path_to_remote_file>
RTSP@ISMA_SDP_FILE:///wfs/<path_to_local_file>,
RTSP@ISMA_SDP_FILE:///wfs/mpg/currentmp4.sdp
e.g.
See Local-Fullscreen Mode with MPEG-4 Multicast for
information on how to FTP the SDP file to the set top
box.
RTSP@UNICAST_MPEG1://#dataPort=<port>
RTSP@UNICAST_MPEG2_TRANSPORT://#dataPort=<port>
RTSP@KASENNA_MPEG1://<ipaddr>/program
RTSP@KASENNA_MPEG2_TRANSPORT://<ipaddr>/program
RTSP@INFOVALUE_MPEG1://<ipaddr>/program
RTSP@INFOVALUE_MPEG2_TRANSPORT://<ipaddr>/
program
RTSP MPEG-4 Internet Streaming
Media Alliance (ISMA)
(Live or VoD)(
Local-Fullscreen Mode with MPEG-4 Multicast
NoteIf necessary you can FTP the SDP file to the set top box as described here.
However the recommended method is to retrieve the SDP file via HTTP.
To decode multicast MPEG-4 in Local-Fullscreen mode, you can put an SDP file on the set
top box using the set top box internal FTP server as shown in the sample FTP session below.
TTo decode multicast MPEG-4:
1.First, obtain an SDP file for the MPEG-4 multicast stream. When streaming from an
MPEG-4 encoder, see the VB4000-5000-6000 Administrator Guide for information
about SDP files.
2.Use an FTP client to place the SDP file on the set top box. A sample FTP session to use
an set top box with the IP address of 172.22.117.70 is shown below. (Server prompts are
shown in bold.)
Video can be streamed over UDP or TCP. See RTSP
Streaming on page 13 for options.
STB Admin Guide11
C:\> ftp 172.22.117.70
User (172.22.117.70:(none)): root
331 Password required for root.
Password: admin
230 User root logged in
ftp> bin
200 Type set to I.
ftp> cd wfs/mpg
250 CWD command successful.
ftp> put vbs1d1.sdp
200 PORT command successful.
150 Opening BINARY mode data connection for vbs1d1.sdp
226 Transfer complete.
ftp: 739 bytes sent in 0.12 Seconds
ftp> bye
Local UI Location
Local UI LocationWhen the start mode is configured for Local, the STB will allow static
listings and previews of multiple channels on the network. You can
use this setting to create a custom user interface.
When the Start Mode is configured for Local, the STB will display static listings and previews
of multiple channels on the network. These listing are configured in an xml file. The xml file
must be modified for each network installation so that IP addresses, port numbers, encoder
types and program listings correspond to actual network settings. This file is edited for local
mode installations only and does not apply when operating in
mode. For detailed examples of how to edit the xml file, go to XML Configuration Examples
on page 23.
MCS or Local-Full Screen
Home Page Location/Home Page Enable
Home Page
Location/Enable
This parameter determines the location of the home page that is
displayed when the WWW button is pressed on the IR remote control.
When this option is disabled, the Home page will not be loaded when
the WWW button is selected.
Main Volume/Line 1 Volume
In MCS mode, when the volume has been manually turned down using the remote (and the
configured audio level is significantly higher), there will be a brief burst of higher volume
when switching views between preview and full screen. Reduce the configured audio level to
avoid abrupt changes in volume.
Main and Line 1
Volume
These parameters determine the initial volume level the STB will
provide to the TV or monitor. Set both to same value. The volume can
be changed using the IR remote control but will revert to the
configured values at start-up.
12EtherneTV Media Distribution System
Loading...
+ 40 hidden pages
You need points to download manuals.
1 point = 1 manual.
You can buy points or you can get point for every manual you upload.