ViewCast Nagara 2200 User Manual

Niagara® 2200 User Guide

are trademarks or registered trademarks of ViewCast Corporation or its subsidiaries. Microsoft, Windows XP, Windows, Windows Media, and Silverlight are trademarks or registered

trademarks of Microsoft Corporation QuickTime, iPhone, iPad, and iPod are trademarks or registered trademarks of Apple Inc. Adobe and Flash are trademarks or registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Inc.

Disclaimer

The information in this publication remains the property of ViewCast Corporation. Users may not use, reproduce, or disclose this information without the implied consent and written approval of the company.

ViewCast Corporation makes no representations or warranties with respect to the contents or use of this manual and specifically disclaims any express or implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose. Further, ViewCast Corporation reserves the right to revise this publication to make enhancements in the products described in this manual, at any time, without obligation to notify any person or entity of such revisions or changes. In no event will ViewCast Corporation be liable for direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of the use or inability to use the product or documentation, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

ViewCast is not responsible for any third-party license fees that may occur with the use of our products by an end user including but not limited to creating or distributing content. The user is responsible for any fees that Multimedia Patent Trust may apply for creating and distributing MPEG content.

Warranties

For complete warranty details, refer to the specific warranty included with each product. General warranty information includes the following: Limited Warranty: ViewCast warrants its hardware products against defects in material and workmanship under normal use for the period of

one year (12 months) from date of sale. Where specific warranties exist that provide coverage that is more substantial, notwithstanding the warranty provisions herein, such product warranties control and preempt or supersede the warranty provisions herein.

Reseller Pass Through of Standard Limited Warranties: Resellers pass the ViewCast standard limited warranties for the products through to the customer without modification. Any modification of a product voids the ViewCast warranties or any other existing or available warranty.

Corporate Contact Information

ViewCast collaborates and partners with various clients to integrate products into their individual environments. Niagara Technical Support: Phone: 972.488.7157, Fax: 972.488.7111 or submit the technical support online request from the ViewCast

website. ViewCast USA Support: Monday through Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Central Time. Typical response time is within one business day for customers

without a Priority Support Agreement.

ViewCast Corporation 3701 West Plano Parkway, Suite 300, Plano, TX 75075-7840 USA

Toll Free (U.S. only): 800.250.6622 website: www.viewcast.com

Niagara 2200 User Guide

Contents

Before You Begin ......................................................................................................... 1

Product description............................................................................................................. 1

Audience ............................................................................................................................. 2

Conventions for this guide .................................................................................................. 2

Rack mount safety instructions .......................................................................................... 3

FCC notice ........................................................................................................................... 4

Installing additional software ............................................................................................. 5

Connecting to the Internet ................................................................................................. 5

Environmental notices ........................................................................................................ 6

Warnings ............................................................................................................................. 7

Overview ....................................................................................................................... 9

Media system functions ...................................................................................................... 9

Install overview ................................................................................................................. 10

Prerequisites ..................................................................................................................... 10

Package contents .............................................................................................................. 11

System requirements ........................................................................................................ 11

Specifications .............................................................................................................. 11

Niagara 2200 front panel .................................................................................................. 12

Review the Niagara 2200 back panel ................................................................................ 14

Connecting the Niagara 2200 ........................................................................................... 15

Niagara 2200 home page .................................................................................................. 16

Menu bar commands ................................................................................................. 16

Niagara 2200 browser windows flow ............................................................................... 18

Easy Setup ...................................................................................................................19

Web interface ................................................................................................................... 19

Easy first time setup.......................................................................................................... 20

Connecting to an electrical power source .................................................................. 20

Performing the initial startup ..................................................................................... 21

Registering your product ............................................................................................ 23

Connecting to an IP network ...................................................................................... 25

Defining the network properties ...................................................................................... 26

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Contents

Basic Operations .........................................................................................................27

Logging in .......................................................................................................................... 27

Viewing all encoders ......................................................................................................... 29

Creating an encoder .......................................................................................................... 30

Starting an encoder........................................................................................................... 31

Starting an encoder with the stream button .................................................................... 32

Stopping an encoder ......................................................................................................... 33

Stopping an encoder with the stop button ...................................................................... 34

Shutting down ................................................................................................................... 34

Advanced Operations .................................................................................................35

Adobe Flash H.264 encoder .............................................................................................. 35

Video tab .................................................................................................................... 37

Audio tab .................................................................................................................... 39

Output tab .................................................................................................................. 40

H.264 presets tab ....................................................................................................... 42

MPEG4 encoder ................................................................................................................ 43

Video tab .................................................................................................................... 44

Audio tab .................................................................................................................... 48

Output tab .................................................................................................................. 50

H.264 Presets tab ....................................................................................................... 52

MPEG-4 Presets tab .................................................................................................... 53

MPEG-2 Presets tab .................................................................................................... 54

Windows Media encoder .................................................................................................. 55

Video tab .................................................................................................................... 56

Audio tab .................................................................................................................... 58

Output tab .................................................................................................................. 59

DRM tab ...................................................................................................................... 62

TS Container ................................................................................................................63

Streaming to a TS container .............................................................................................. 63

Streaming .......................................................................................................................... 66

Output tab .................................................................................................................. 66

Encoder Groups ..........................................................................................................69

Viewing encoder groups ................................................................................................... 69

Creating encoder groups .................................................................................................. 70

Assigning encoder groups ................................................................................................. 71

Starting an encoder group ................................................................................................ 72

Stopping an encoder group .............................................................................................. 72

Editing encoder groups ..................................................................................................... 73

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Niagara 2200 User Guide

Additional Settings and Features ...............................................................................75

Configuring Niagara 2200 properties ................................................................................ 75

Changing computer name................................................................................................. 76

Changing the login password from the factory default .................................................... 77

Restoring the login password to the factory default ................................................. 78

Configuring alerts .............................................................................................................. 79

Configuring network properties ....................................................................................... 80

Configuring network card(s) ....................................................................................... 80

Configuring IP address ................................................................................................ 81

Configuring advanced settings (network) .................................................................. 81

IP Route table .................................................................................................................... 82

System configuration settings .......................................................................................... 83

Setting current system configuration ......................................................................... 84

Configuring email settings .......................................................................................... 85

Configuring default directory setting ................................................................................ 86

Setting the high temperature alert ............................................................................ 86

Setting CPU thresholds ............................................................................................... 86

Setting SimulStream filters ......................................................................................... 87

Restoring Niagara 2200 factory defaults .................................................................... 87

Viewing the activity log ..................................................................................................... 89

Viewing alerts ................................................................................................................... 90

Connecting an external storage device ............................................................................ 91

Using the Niagara SCX interface ....................................................................................... 91

SNMP ............................................................................................................................93

External SNMP Manager ............................................................................................ 93

SNMP UDP Ports Used by SNMP Manager and SNMP Agents ......................................... 94

UDP Port for SNMP Requests ..................................................................................... 94

UDP Port for SNMP Traps ........................................................................................... 94

Install ViewCast SNMP Agent Service ............................................................................... 95

Installing for the first time .......................................................................................... 95

Installing new version of ViewCast SNMP Agent Service ........................................... 98

Install and Configure Supero Doctor III Agent Service .................................................... 100

Configure Supero Doctor III SNMP Agent Service........................................................... 101

Disable health monitoring for devices not in use .................................................... 101

Enabling health monitoring for devices not in use .................................................. 102

Configure ViewCast SNMP Agent Service ....................................................................... 103

Configuring community names ................................................................................ 103

Configuring permitted SNMP managers .................................................................. 104

Configuring trap destinations ................................................................................... 106

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Contents

Configuring SNMP Agent contact and location (optional) ....................................... 108

Use UDP Port Other Than 161 for SNMP Requests ........................................................ 109

ViewCast SNMP Agent Logging ....................................................................................... 110

Disable IIS Logging for ViewCast Encoders Web Service ................................................ 110

ViewCast SNMP Agent MIB Files ..................................................................................... 112

Retrieving IP and MAC Addresses of the Encoder System ............................................. 112

SNMP Examples .............................................................................................................. 112

Query of system information (SNMP GET Example) ................................................ 112

Start/stop an encoder through SNMP ...................................................................... 113

Start/stop all encoders per group through SNMP ................................................... 113

Start/stop all encoders in the system through SNMP .............................................. 113

Start SNMP trap listener ........................................................................................... 114

Appendix A: DRM for Windows Media ..................................................................... 115

Importing a DRM profile ................................................................................................. 115

Appendix B: H.264 Advanced Settings .................................................................... 121

H.264 Presets .................................................................................................................. 121

Settings ........................................................................................................................... 122

MPEG-4 Presets .............................................................................................................. 124

Settings ........................................................................................................................... 125

MPEG-2 Presets .............................................................................................................. 128

Settings ........................................................................................................................... 129

Appendix C: Mapped Network Drive Setup ............................................................. 131

Index ........................................................................................................................... 139

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Niagara 2200 User Guide

Before You Begin

Thank you for purchasing the ViewCast Niagara 2200 streaming media appliance. This user guide provides step-by-step instructions for installing and using your new streaming media appliance. For the latest ViewCast product information and news, visit our website at www.viewcast.com.

Product description

The ViewCast Niagara 2200 streaming media appliance is a low-cost, easy-to-use, streaming media appliance that supports Adobe Flash® H.264, MPEG-4, and Microsoft® Windows Media (Silverlight®) standard and high definition as well as container support for 3GPP and 3GPP2.

The Niagara 2200 is built on the legendary quality of ViewCast Osprey® video capture card technology, which means you can count on the same highly reliable performance demanded by others who use ViewCast technology, including the world’s leading broadcasters and content delivery networks.

The built-in web interface of the Niagara 2200 simplifies system set-up and operation, allowing complete system control from anywhere on the network. The ViewCast SimulStream® driver enhancement software technology comes standard with the Niagara 2200, which means you can stream in multiple, simultaneous resolutions, and bit rates to computers, set top boxes, cell phones, and mobile devices anywhere around the world. ViewCast’s Niagara® SCX streaming media management software is also included with the Niagara 2200, enabling centralized set-up, monitoring, and control.

The Niagara 2200 streaming media appliance (Figure 1) allows you to maximize your audience through web-based video delivery. It lets you reach your audiences where they live and allows you to stream both live and on-demand video to any IP network. With support for the most common streaming formats, you are afforded high-performance streaming capabilities across a broad range of bandwidths to elevate the quality and impact of your Internet video programming. Now you may truly enjoy the power and flexibility of more expensive professional-grade streaming appliances in the compact, easyto-use Niagara 2200.

Figure 1. ViewCast Niagara 2200

ViewCast 1

Before You Begin

Convention

Description

Example

Bold text

Characters to enter when referenced in a procedure. The names of keys or keys to press.

In the example, enter DTMF as the group type. Press Enter to save your changes.

Note:

Provides supplemental information.

Note: The prompt may not

display if …

IMPORTANT!

Provides important data that affects how the system or software responds.

IMPORTANT! You must install

Niagara SCX prior to configuring SCX options…

CAUTION!

Provides information to help avoid possible damage to hardware or a system crash (without data loss).

CAUTION! Use case sensitive

commands to keep from destroying…

WARNING!

Provides information to ensure you avoid potential injury, death, or permanent system damage.

WARNING! Do NOT touch

exposed wires.

Audience

The audience for this publication includes anyone who uses or administers the Niagara 2200. They should have a basic technical understanding of streaming media. This user guide provides information on the Niagara 2200 only.

Conventions for this guide

This guide uses the document conventions specified in the following table to help you identify different types of information.

2 ViewCast

Rack mount safety instructions

Operating Temperature

The operating ambient temperature of a rack environment may be greater than room ambient if installed in a closed or multi-unit rack assembly. Therefore, users should install the equipment in an environment compatible with the maximum ambient temperature of 40° C.

Reduced Air Flow

You must not compromise the airflow required for safe equipment operation when you install the equipment in a rack.

Mechanical Loading

Mounting of the equipment in the rack should be such that you do not cause a hazard due to uneven mechanical loading.

Circuit Overloading

Consider the connection of the equipment to the supply circuit and the effect that the overloading of the circuits might have on current protection and supply wiring. You must also consider and use the equipment nameplate ratings when you address this concern.

Reliable Grounding

You must maintain reliable earth grounding of rack-mounted equipment. Pay particular attention to supply connections other than direct connections to the branch circuit (such as using power strips).

Niagara 2200 User Guide

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Before You Begin

FCC notice

WARNING! You must connect this device and peripherals using shielded cables that comply with

FCC radio emission limits.

WARNING! Modifications to this device not approved by ViewCast Corporation could void the

FCC-granted authority for the user to operate the device.

WARNING! The Niagara 2200 complies with the limits for a Class A digital device pursuant to

Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when users operate the equipment in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and may 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 will likely cause harmful interference. In this case the users must correct the interference at their own expense.

Note: To CATV Installer: Pay special attention to Section 820-40 of the NEC that provides

guidelines for proper grounding. It particularly specifies that you must connect the cable ground to the grounding system of the building as close to the point of cable entry as practical.

WARNING! Equipment installation must comply with local and national electrical codes.

4 ViewCast

Niagara 2200 User Guide

Installing additional software

The Niagara systems run an embedded version of the Microsoft Windows 7 operating system (OS), which is a sub-set of the normal retail version. The Microsoft License agreement limits the use of the system to what the machine is designed to do.

The Microsoft Update process is turned off by default to prevent interruptions during live streaming events. It is also not advised to use a Windows 7 installation CD to add features to the system or the appliance may fail.

You may load additional software on the appliance; however, ViewCast does not support this additional software. You also need to ensure the primary drive is not full or the appliance will fail. In the event of a problem, you may need to perform a Factory Restore, which returns the appliance to the original software load. You may save the current encoder profiles and reload them when the Factory Restore is complete.

You can perform a Factory Restore at any time. This process returns the appliance to the software load that came with the appliance. Perform a Factory Restore if the appliance becomes unstable due to installed applications, viruses, etc. Please refer to the user guide for instructions.

ViewCast Support can provide assistance should the system fail to start. In most cases, you can restore a system to operation without returning it to ViewCast. There is a fee in the event a user returns an system due to applications the user installed or if the appliance failed because the primary partition (drive C) is full.

Connecting to the Internet

Never connect a Niagara system directly to the Internet. ViewCast recommends taking precautions against unwanted access such as installing Niagara systems behind a router or firewall. The speed of the router or switch should match or exceed the speed of the system’s network card. See your network administrator for recommendations.

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Before You Begin

Product Disposal Information:

Dispose of this product in accordance with local and national disposal regulations (if any). Include those regulations governing the recovery and recycling of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE).

RoHS Compliant:

ViewCast Corporation commits to compliance with the European directive on the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment, Directive 2002/95/EC, the RoHS directive.

This product supplied to the European Union does comply with the RoHS directive. ViewCast certifies that this equipment shipped to the European Union conforms to the 2002/95/EC directive.

For current RoHS statement, see www.viewcast.com.

Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Statement

Underwriters Laboratories Inc. has not tested the performance or reliability of the security or signaling aspects of this product. UL only tested for fire, shock and

casualty hazards as outlined in UL’s Standard for Safety UL

60950-1. UL Certification does not cover the performance or reliability of the security or signaling aspects of this product.

UL does not represent, warranty, or certify the performance of reliability of any security or signaling related functions of this product.

Environmental notices

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Niagara 2200 User Guide

Warnings

Only trained and qualified personnel should install, replace, or service this equipment.

Do not attempt to open the case of the appliance. If you do so, you incur a high risk of electrical shock that may cause damage to the appliance or personal physical injury or death to you and/or others. No user-serviceable parts exist inside the appliance. If you open the appliance case or make unauthorized changes to the case, ViewCast voids your warranty.

Install the appliance away from any heat sources. This remains vital to the safety of the product users. Do not install the appliance near any heat sources such as:

 Radiators  Heat registers  Stoves  Other heat-producing equipment

WARNING! Installing the appliance near heat sources could result in personal injury or death. WARNING!Never insert objects of any kind into the appliance through any appliance openings,

as the objects may touch dangerous voltage points, short out parts, and result in a risk of fire or electrical shock.

Do not stack the appliance atop or below other electronic devices as this can cause heat build-up and vibration of the appliance. These conditions can damage the appliance thereby voiding the limited warranty.

You may stack multiple Niagara 2200 units as these appliances accommodate stacking.

Do not install the appliance in any area where the temperature is less than 5°C or more than 40°C. Transfer from temperature extremes may cause condensation. Let the appliance remain unplugged at room temperature for at least 45 minutes before connecting it.

Use an outlet with surge suppression or ground fault protection when using the appliance. Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet and disconnect the lines between the appliance and the video source for added protection:

 During a lightning storm  During dangerous weather conditions  When the encoder remains unattended or unused for long periods

Reduce the risk of fire or electric shock. Do not expose the appliance to any rain or moisture. Exposing the appliance to rain or other types of moisture could result in appliance damages. Do not place any liquids on or near the appliance. If you place liquids in any form on or near the appliance, do so at your own risk, for you incur a high risk of electrical shock that could occur and cause damage to the appliance.

WARNING! Exposing the appliance to rain or other types of moisture could result in physical

injury or death. Any liquids on or near the appliance may result in electrical shock and personal injury or death.

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Before You Begin

Refer all servicing to authorized service personnel. You must have authorized personnel only service any damaged appliance. Relevant damage may occur with but is not limited to the following:

 An unplugged or damaged power supply cord  Spilled liquid on the appliance  Fallen objects on the appliance  Appliance exposure to rain or other moisture or liquid  Failure to perform functions as described in the User Guide  A dropped appliance

ViewCast assumes no liability or responsibility for any damaged appliance that clients continue using.

Use only attachments, accessories, or equipment specified by the manufacturer with the appliance. Using accessories or attachments not recommended by the encoder manufacturer voids the Limited Warranty.

Do not attempt to service the appliance yourself. If you open or remove covers, you may expose yourself to dangerous voltage. Such action voids the Limited Warranty. Refer all servicing issues to authorized service personnel only.

The plug-socket combination that serves as the main disconnecting device must be accessible at all times.

Protect the power cord from anyone walking on it and being strained or pinched particularly at plugs, electrical receptacles, and the point where the power cord exits the appliance.

Do not use adapter plugs or remove the grounding prong from the power cable.

Use only the type of power source indicated on the marking label on the back panel of the unit to operate the appliance. Unplug the appliance power cord by gripping the plug and removing it from the power source. Do not pull the cord to remove the power source from the appliance.

Do not plug the appliance into a wall outlet that contains an overload of electrical cords or power strips/extension cords. This type of overload may result in fire or electrical shock risks.

Always handle the appliance carefully. Always avoid excessive shock and vibration to the appliance. Excessive shock or vibration can damage the appliance.

WARNING! Excessive shock or vibration to the appliance may result in electrical shock and

personal injury or death.

8 ViewCast

Niagara 2200 User Guide

Overview

Before you can use your Niagara 2200 streaming media system, you will first need to set up and configure it. This chapter provides you with the details and step-by-step instructions you need to make your installation as quick-and-easy as possible.

All you need to get started are the four following requirements:

 Your audio and video source (such as a camera or deck)  A streaming media server or hosting provider (for Adobe

Flash or Windows Media)

 An IP connection and/or Internet connection  A networked computer running a compatible browser

The Niagara 2200, an easy-to-use streaming device, allows you to:

 Connect to a compatible browser on a dynamic host configuration protocol/domain name server

(DHCP/DNS) network.

 Configure and connect your audio and video source to the Niagara 2200.  Select your output formats and streaming settings.  Enter your streaming server information.  Start streaming your media.

You can configure and use the Niagara 2200 straight from the box for any streaming activities. Use the web interface for setting options and controlling your Niagara 2200 from another networked computer, as well as advanced options.

WARNING! Read the installation instructions before connecting the system to the power source.

Media system functions

Although it has many features and capabilities, the Niagara 2200 streaming media encoder performs, in its most basic functions, as follows:

 Takes analog audio and video inputs  Captures the signals  Encodes the signals into digital IP video formats  Delivers the IP audio and video content to a storage device or streams it over an IP network

ViewCast 9

Overview

Install overview

This section addresses the high-level actions you must perform to physically connect and setup your Niagara 2200 system.

You must complete the following primary tasks to install the Niagara 2200:

1. Address and comply with all prerequisites.

2. Connect the Niagara 2200 streaming media appliance using its power source.

3. Connect the video source (camera or video recorder) to the system.

4. Connect the Niagara 2200 to an IP network.

5. Configure the Niagara 2200 system.

Prerequisites

Before installing and connecting the Niagara 2200, ensure you comply with the following prerequisites:

 All packaged items are undamaged and in working order.  Your environment meets all system requirements.  Safety instructions, notices, and warnings including:

o Rack Mount Safety Instructions

o FCC Notice

o Environmental Notices

o Warnings

10 ViewCast

Niagara 2200 User Guide

Appliance

 Niagara 2200

Power Cables

 One of the following:

o North America Power Cable (110 vac) o International Power Cable (220 vac) o UK Power Cable (220 vac)

 AC to DC converter

Converter

 BNC-to-RCA, male-to-female (3)  BNC-to-mini-DIN (S-Video) adapter

Guides

 Package insert (end-user license agreement, welcome

letter, package content list)

 User guide (on CD in PDF format)  Quick Start Guide

Software

 Niagara 2200 CD

Browser Interface

Any Internet Explorer (IE)-based computer, workstation, or laptop that interfaces to a dynamic host configuration protocol/domain name server (DHCP/DNS)-compatible network

User Interface

High speed internet, dial-up, and mobile device users

Package contents

Completely unpack all contents from the box and inspect each item for damage. Ensure that you have all the components listed below:

If any components are missing or damaged, do not continue with the installation. Contact the ViewCast reseller from which you purchased your Niagara 2200 streaming media appliance for assistance in obtaining any missing parts or for parts replacement.

System requirements

Ensure your computer meets the following system requirements.

Specifications

 Dual core processor  1 GB RAM  SATA HDD (120 GB or larger)  Compact – 1 RU, ½ Rack (11.5” x 7.5” x 1.75”)  4.9 lbs (2.2 kg)  60 W power supply

ViewCast 11

Overview

 Starts the Niagara 2200.  Press this button once to turn off the Niagara 2200 when it is on.  Press and hold for 5 seconds to execute an immediate power off.

IMPORTANT! Do not attempt to encoder while the light is blinking.

 Resets the Niagara 2200.  Use a pointed device to insert in the hole and press the reset button.  This button has three different options:

o Press and release after the first set of 10 LEDs start to light (approximately one to

three seconds) to reboot the Niagara 2200.

Note: The lights on the volume indicator will illuminate in one-second intervals.

o Press and release after the second set of 10 LEDs start to light (approximately 4 to 6

seconds) to keep all set profiles and restore the Niagara 2200.

Note: The lights on the volume indicator will illuminate in one-second intervals, but do not

progress all the way to the far right.

o Press and hold for approximately 10 seconds until all 20 LEDs remain lit to restore

the Niagara 2200 to complete factory defaults.

IMPORTANT! The last option deletes all previously set profiles.

 Initiates streaming of all profiles assigned to the button.

Note: Do not attempt to encode while light continues blinking.

 Stops the encoder streaming activity when you press this button once.

Niagara 2200 front panel

You should familiarize yourself with the front panel controls for the Niagara 2200. Besides the basic buttons for power, start/stop, and audio volume control, several indicator lights also exist. Figure 2 and the table below illustrate the buttons and lights that constitute the front panel functions and interfaces.

Figure 2. Niagara 2200 Front Panel

12 ViewCast

Niagara 2200 User Guide

 Allows exporting files to USB devices and installing updates or firmware.

 Audio feedback meters.  Shows incoming left and right channel input.

 Allows for connection of headphones to the Niagara 2200 for audio monitoring.

 Audio level headphone control.  This control changes the volume on the headset output only.

 This indicator illuminates when a system alert occurs.

 Displays to indicate a remote user.  A remote user is accessing the Niagara 2200 across the network.

 Video encoding status (active).

ViewCast 13

Overview

 Qualified ViewCast field technicians should be the only ones to use this

connection.

 Direct current (DC) power supply for power input (12 Volt).  This port allows you to connect the Niagara 2200 to its power supply.

 Connects the Niagara 2200 to the IP network.

 Connects the composite video for the Niagara 2200.  This analog component video BNC for Pb input allows professional-grade video

connections.

 Connects USB control devices, such as a memory card (USB memory device,

keyboard, and mouse).

 Standard video port that provides (Y) connection in S-video (Y/C) for most BNC

video cameras and players.

 This analog component video BNC for Y input allows professional-grade video

connections.

 This analog component video BNC for Pr input allows professional-grade video

connections.

 Left/Right XLR connector for line level balanced audio sources.  Professional audio engineers use these inputs on high-end audio and video

playback equipment.

 Noise cancellation and balanced stereo.

 Left/Right RCA connector for stereo input.  Found on most standard video players and cameras.

Review the Niagara 2200 back panel

Figure 3 illustrates all connectors and other components of the Niagara 2200 back panel.

Figure 3. Back panel

14 ViewCast

Niagara 2200 User Guide

Connect the composite video (CVBS Pb – item D on Figure 3). Ensure you have a tight connection by rotating the cuff to connect.

Connect the right and left audio. Refer to Figure 3 item I for left and right connections.

Connect the power DC adaptor by linking the clasp over the top anchor (12V DC Input – item B on Figure 3).

Attach the Niagara 2200 to the network input (PRI Network – item C on Figure

3).

Press Power (item A on Figure 2).

Connecting the Niagara 2200

The following steps refer to a direct connection to the Niagara 2200. The example uses composite video input and unbalanced audio.

To configure the Niagara 2200:

ViewCast 15

Overview

Command

Function

Home

 View general administrative information about

the ViewCast Niagara 2200.

 Use the menu bar commands.

Encoders

 All Encoders – View the encoder profiles

available to start on the encoder box.

 Active Group – Allows you to set the one group

that you assign to the front panel Stream button.

 Groups – Assign groups and encoders to that

group.

Configuration

 Machine Properties – View details on the

Machine Properties of the Niagara 2200 including the Network Name, Serial Number, and all software versions installed.

 Alerts – Modify the settings for each application

alert Niagara 2200 can generate during normal operations.

 Network Properties – View information on

Niagara 2200 network properties and addresses for both NIC ports and modify these properties.

 IP Route Table – Add or delete IP destinations.  System Configuration – Modify the system

configuration including setup for email alerts from Niagara 2200 whenever it encounters an operation error.

Status

 View Activity Log – View all Niagara 2200

activities including the time and date for each event.

 View Alerts – View all alerts including the time

Niagara 2200 home page

The home page menu bar (Figure 4) allows you to use the commands described in the following table.

Figure 4. Menu bar

Menu bar commands

The home page menu bar allows you to use the commands described in the table below.

16 ViewCast

and date for each alert.

Maintenance

 Product Registration - Register your Niagara

system to protect your investment.

Log Out

 Allows users to log off the system’s web

interface.

Niagara 2200 User Guide

ViewCast 17

Overview

Niagara 2200 browser windows flow

Figure 5 shows the interrelationship and flow of the available configuration windows you may use to configure the Niagara 2200.

Figure 5. Niagara 2200 browser windows

18 ViewCast

Niagara 2200 User Guide

Easy Setup

The easy setup option explores the optimal configurations for the novice user to set up the Niagara 2200 quickly and easily. Easy setup includes actions you can perform on your Niagara 2200 streaming media encoder using the web interface to include configuring the following:

 Encoder settings  Groups  Network properties  Machine properties  System  System alerts

Web interface

The Niagara 2200 web interface presents a logical flow of configuration information for the encoding system. Refer to Figure 5 for a diagram and main menu options. Major considerations display on the main menu and address:

 Home  Encoders

o All Encoders including Encoder Properties

o Active Group

o Groups

 Configuration

o Niagara Properties

o Alerts including Settings

o Network Properties

o IP Route Table

o System Configuration

 Status

o Activity Log

o Alerts

 Maintenance

o Product Registration

 Log Out

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Easy Setup

Attach the block end to the power cable that comes with the equipment.

Connect the adaptor to the unit 12 VDC input located on the upper back panel corner of the Niagara 2200.

Easy first time setup

You should read all instructions, notices, and warnings before getting started with your new Niagara 2200 hardware for the first time. Also, ensure you have all required parts and meet all system requirements before installing this product.

Do not continue with the installation if you find any components missing or damaged. Contact the ViewCast reseller where you purchased your Niagara 2200 system for assistance in obtaining any missing or replacement parts.

Connecting to an electrical power source

Niagara 2200 ships with one of the following power cables:

 North America power cable  International power cable  UK power cable

To connect the power source:

WARNING! The plug-socket combination must remain accessible at all times as it serves as the

main disconnecting device.

Do not work on the system or connect or disconnect cables during periods of lightning activity.

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Niagara 2200 User Guide

Ensure that you connect all devices (power cords, appliances, streaming devices, etc.) to the Niagara 2200.

Press Power on the front panel to start the Niagara 2200.

Locate the serial number on the bottom of the appliance (in the format vpxxxxxxxx).

From another computer on the same DHCP/DNS network as the Niagara 2200, launch Internet Explorer and type in http:// and the serial number of your Niagara 2200.

If you do not have a DHCP network or you cannot connect to the Niagara 2200 through its DNS name, you can connect a monitor, mouse, and keyboard directly to the Niagara 2200 to obtain or change the IP address. Connect a standard VGA monitor to the service connector and the mouse/keyboard to USB ports. The Niagara 2200 will have a Microsoft 7 desktop. From the Desktop, you will launch Internet Explorer.

Enter your valid user name and password and click Log In when the Admin Log In window (Figure 6) displays.

IMPORTANT! The setting to log in for the first time, defaults to the user name admin and

the password admin.

Figure 6. Admin Log In window

Note: System administrators should previously configure all user names and passwords for

those who they allow to log on to the system.

Performing the initial startup

The steps in the following table refer to a direct connection to the Niagara 2200 only.

To perform the initial startup:

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Easy Setup

The first time you start the Niagara 2200 and log in, the system prompts you for the date, time, and video standard (Figure 7). You may accept the default date, time, and video standard or enter your desired date, time, and video standard then click Submit.

Figure 7. Date and time settings

Note: The appliance reboots. If it doesn’t you need to manually reboot the system from the

Machine Properties window.

The Admin Log In window may reappear once you submit the date, time, and video standard fields. You must enter User Name and Password again. This time when you enter your valid user name and password, the system displays the Welcome window (Figure 8) and Niagara 2200 Main Menu.

Figure 8. Welcome window

Note: You must identify, at a minimum, an encoder, a group, and basic system and network

configuration settings. The Niagara 2200 front panel status light remains solid green once it becomes ready to

begin streaming.

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Niagara 2200 User Guide

Access the Product Registration page: Click Maintenance  Product Registration. The Product Registration page displays (Figure 9).

Figure 9. Product Registration

Note: The default is Register the product online.

Enter your name and contact information in the spaces provided.

Click Submit. After a few seconds, a confirmation message displays.

Access the Product Registration page: Click Maintenance  Product Registration. The Product Registration page displays (Figure 9).

Click Register the product on another computer or over the phone (Figure 10).

Figure 10. Register the product on another computer or over the phone

Registering your product

You have 30 days to register your product when you first activate the system. A reminder displays at the bottom of the Home and Encoders pages. You can register your system using three different methods:

 Product Registration page  ViewCast website  ViewCast Support help desk (Call 972-488-7157 and provide the serial number and SKU.)

To register online:

To register at viewcast.com:

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Easy Setup

Copy the registration URL.

From another computer, open a browser and paste the URL into the address bar.

Enter your name and contact information in the spaces provided.

Figure 11. Contact Information

Select the type of product. The serial number and SKU are automatically populated.

Figure 12. Product information

Click Submit. After a few seconds, a confirmation message displays.

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Niagara 2200 User Guide

Click Configuration  Network Properties. The Network Properties window appears (Figure 13). The serial number is in the IP Address field.

Figure 13. Connect to IP network

Note: You need not modify these default settings for most network environments.

Click Submit to accept all network settings you configure.

Connecting to an IP network

The Niagara 2200 network settings for its network interface defaults to obtain an IP address from a DHCP server on the network. If a DHCP server is not available or is not on the network, Niagara 2200 assigns its own IP address.

Note: If you are not familiar with network protocols, contact your network administrator for

assistance. If you are not able to browse to the unit with a DHCP network, you may connect a monitor, keyboard, and mouse to the Niagara 2200 to determine and set the network connections.

To connect to an IP network:

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Easy Setup

Field

Action

Network Cards

Options include primary NIC and secondary NIC

Description

Describes the NIC option

Obtain an IP address automatically or Use the following IP information

Click one of the radio buttons to either obtain an IP address automatically or use input IP information (user inputs). Refer to IP Address field below for information on setting your own IP address.

IP Address

Input or accept the default static IP address. Press Enter to accept your selection.

Note: You can only perform this action and the next four (Subnet

Mask, Default Gateway, Preferred DNS Server, and Alternate DNS Server) if you click Use the following IP information. You must click Submit to save any changes.

Subnet Mask

Input or accept the default. Press Enter to accept your selection.

Default Gateway

Input or accept the Default Gateway. Press Enter to accept your selection.

Preferred DNS Server

Input or accept the default preferred domain name server (DNS). Press Enter to accept your selection.

Alternate DNS Server

Input or accept the default alternate domain name server (DNS). Press Enter to accept your selection.

Advanced Settings On

 You may accept the default workstation identifier

(Advanced Setting on field).

 You may alternately enter a new computer name by

clicking the underlined computer name to go to the Machine Properties window and click Edit to change the computer name. Click Submit to change the name.

Note: If you change the computer name, you must reboot the

system after you submit it.

MAC Address

View the default Media Access Control (MAC) address.

Primary WINS Server

The primary windows server identifier.

Secondary WINS Server

The secondary windows server identifier.

Active Network Link

Displays the status of the network link. Position your cursor in any appropriate field and enter your selections. Press Enter or Submit to accept all selections.

Defining the network properties

The following table provides Network Properties and the actions you can choose for each. To view this window, click Configuration  Network Properties, and then click Use the following IP information.

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Niagara 2200 User Guide

Locate the serial number on the side or bottom of the appliance (in the format vp11xxxxxx).

Open the web browser on your computer.

You can either:

 Type the Niagara 2200 serial number in the Address bar (Figure 14) and press Enter.

Figure 14. Address bar

 Type the IP address in the Address bar (Figure 15) and press Enter.

Figure 15. IP address

 The Admin Log In window appears (Figure 16).

Figure 16. Admin Log In window

Type the User name and Password.

IMPORTANT! The setting to log in for the first time, defaults to the user name admin and the

Basic Operations

Basic operations include but are not limited to the following:

 Viewing all encoders  Creating an encoder  Starting an encoder  Editing an encoder  Stopping an encoder

Logging in

To log in:

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Basic Operations

password admin. System administrators should previously configure all user names and passwords for those who they allow to log on to the system.

Press Login. The Niagara 2200 Welcome window and Menu Bar appear (Figure 17).

Figure 17. Welcome window

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Niagara 2200 User Guide

Click this link to edit the encoder properties, streaming settings, and advanced streaming settings.

Click this link to delete an encoder from the list.

Displays the encoder type. Click this link to sort the encoders by type.

Displays the name you assigned to the encoder. Click this link to sort the encoders by name.

Displays the status of the encoders.

Displays the status of the last action.

Click this link to create a new encoder.

Displays the CPU usage. Click this link to open the System Configuration window.

Displays as either Started (blue circle button) or Stopped (red circle button) as the options for streaming this encoder. The encoder can be started or stopped by clicking the icons. Click this link to sort the encoders by what is streaming and what is not.

Click this link to view encoder groups.

Click this link to stop all encoders.

Displays the total number of encoders

Viewing all encoders

The Encoders window provides a list of all of the encoder profiles loaded on the Niagara 2200. On the home page, click Encoders  All Encoders.

Figure 18. Encoders window

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Basic Operations

Click the Create New Encoder link. The Create New Encoder window displays (Figure 19).

Figure 19. Create New Encoder window

Select the Encoder Type from the drop-down list.

Enter the name of the encoder.

Note: Valid characters are alphanumeric, space, dash, and dot.

To use the same properties from another encoder, enable Clone Properties From.

Select the encoder from the drop-down list.

Click Create New Encoder.

Creating an encoder

To create an encoder, on the home page click Encoders.

To create an encoder:

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Starting an encoder

Click the red circle Stopped icon (Figure 20) in the Streaming column for the encoder you want to start streaming.

Figure 20. Stopped Icon

Messages appear detailing the encoder start progress (Figure 21).

Figure 21. Encoder Start Status

The Encoders window appears with the encoder status updated and the streaming indicator changes to a blue circle Started icon (Figure 22).

Figure 22. Encoders window

To start an encoder, on the home page click Encoders  All Encoders.

To start an encoder:

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Basic Operations

Press Stream .

The video encoding status blue light displays (V) to indicate a positive video stream and the audio meters display to indicate positive audio tracking.

Starting an encoder with the stream button

Use the Stream button on the front panel to start the assigned encoder group.

To start an encoder with the stream button:

WARNING! Limitations exist for the number of streams you can encode simultaneously. If you

attempt to encode more streams than the Niagara 2200 can process simultaneously, the streams drop frames and the video stutters. This results in a poor viewer experience. If you fail to reduce the number of sessions to reduce CPU load, all encoding sessions may selfterminate without warning.

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Stopping an encoder

Click the blue Started icon of the encoder you wish to stop streaming (Figure 23).

Figure 23. Started Icon

Messages appear detailing the encoder stop progress (Figure 24).

Figure 24. Encoder Stop Status

The Encoders window appears with the encoder status updated to reflect the Stopped mode and the streaming indicator changes to a red circled Stopped icon (Figure 25).

Figure 25. Encoders window

To stop an encoder, on the home page click Encoders  All Encoders.

To stop an encoder:

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Basic Operations

Press Stop .

The Niagara 2200 browser displays the list of encoders and shows the status of each session.

Briefly press Power on the front panel.

The Niagara 2200 front panel status light starts blinking and turns off once it is ready to stop streaming.

The Niagara 2200 powers off after a few seconds.

Stopping an encoder with the stop button

To start an encoder with the stream button:

Shutting down

To shut down:

CAUTION: Allow the Niagara 2200 to power down normally. If you force the system to shut

down improperly, it can corrupt your data. If so, the next time you start the system, it may take several minutes to complete startup.

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Niagara 2200 User Guide

Advanced Operations

Advanced operations include but are not limited to the following:

 Editing a Flash encoder  Editing an MPEG encoder  Editing a WME encoder  Streaming to a TS container

Adobe Flash H.264 encoder

When you create a new encoder, the Encoder Properties window appears. The Encoder Properties windows for editing a new encoder or an existing encoder are identical. You must configure the audio and video settings for each encoder type.

Use the Video, Audio, Output, and H.264 Presets tabs to edit the settings. Configure the video and audio settings, then the streaming properties. The streaming properties and advanced streaming settings are different for each type of encoder.

From the Flash Encoder Properties window (Figure 26), you can set the encoder to start streaming automatically by clicking the Auto Start check box. You can also start the encoder from this window by clicking the Start Flash Encoder link in the top right corner of the window.

Click Encoders  All Encoders from the home page. Then select the Edit link next to the encoder whose properties you wish to modify. The system displays the Encoder Properties window for the selected encoder.

IMPORTANT! If you make any changes to the Encoder Properties window, you must click Save

Settings. Otherwise, all your changes will be lost.

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Advanced Operations

Figure 26. Flash Encoder properties

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Niagara 2200 User Guide

Select the video input Source from the drop-down list.

In the Input field, select the video input.

IMPORTANT! The video input must match the connectors on the back of the system and your

video source.

In the Size field, select the pre-determined size of the encoded video from the drop-down list. You can also specify a custom size for your video. This customization is useful when you are capturing video to be played on a mobile video-device that requires a non-standard size for compatibility. When you click Custom, two additional fields appear so you can enter the exact size you want the resulting video to be (Figure 28).

Note: The size in the Width and Height fields must be divisible by 2.

Figure 28. Custom fields

Select the Video Encoder from the drop-down list.

Enter the frames per second in the Frame Rate field.

Enter the Bitrate.

Drag the sliders to adjust the Brightness, Contrast, Hue, and Saturation (Figure 29).

Figure 29. Video Filter settings

Video tab

Use the following table to configure the video analog input settings for a Flash encoder.

Figure 27. Video tab

To configure video input settings:

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Advanced Operations

Note: Click Restore to the right of the filter to reset the settings to the default.

Click the De-Interlace setting you want to apply (Figure 30). Options include:

 None

– Performs no de-interlacing of any kind.

 Auto

– Applies inverse telecine de-interlacing to all telecine video. – Applies motion adaptive de-interlacing to all video that is not telecine. – Switches dynamically between the two modes as the content changes. – Available for NTSC video only.

 Inverse Telecine

– Drops the redundant fields and reassembles the video in a 24 fps progressive format.

– Applies inverse telecine de-interlacing to all telecine video. – Performs no de-interlacing of video that is not telecine. – Available for NTSC video only.

 Motion Adaptive

– Is an algorithm for de-interlacing pure video (non-telecine) content. – Applies motion adaptive interlacing to all video. It detects which portions of the

image are still and which portions are in motion then applies different processing to each scenario.

Figure 30. De-Interlace settings

Note: Telecine and inverse telecine only apply to NTSC video. They are not for PAL and

SECAM video. The system disables Auto and Inverse Telecine choices when you select either PAL as the video standard.

Click Save Settings.

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Audio tab

In the Source field, select an audio source from the drop-down list.

IMPORTANT! The audio input must match the source connected to the back of

the system and your audio source.

Select the Overlay Closed Caption check box to enable overlay closed captions. Field 1 CC 1 is the default setting.

Click the Audio Format from the drop-down list.

Click the Audio Type from the drop-down list.

Click the Audio Encoder.

Click the Bitrate.

Drag the sliders to adjust the Left Volume and Right Volume.

(Optional) Click the Mute Audio check box to mute audio.

Click Save Settings.

Figure 31. Audio tab

To configure audio settings:

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ViewCast 39

Advanced Operations

Click the Enable Streaming check box to enable live Flash streaming.

Enter the proper IP address in the Server Address field.

Enter the Stream Name.

Select the Authentication Type from the drop-down list. Options are available for streaming directly to Adobe, Akamai, and Limelight CDNs.

Enter the User Name and Password.

Click the Embed System Time as Timecode checkbox.

Click the Frame Interval.

Enable Save to File to save the encoded content to a file. Each time you start this encoder, the system overwrites the previous file.

Note: You must Enable Streaming or Save to File. If both Enable Streaming or Save to

File are disabled, the encoder will not start and an error is generated.

Select Create unique file to create a file that the system does not overwrite.

10.

Accept the default location that displays in the File Name field or choose your own location for the file. To choose your own personal location click the link (horizontal ellipses or … ) to the right of the File Name field and display the options (Figure 33).

Note: By default, the system sets this folder to D:\AVFiles\Out\ with a default filename of

capture.f4v.

Figure 33. Select a folder

Output tab

Figure 32. Output tab

To configure output settings:

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Niagara 2200 User Guide

WARNING! You can only save media files to drive D. Check drive properties for

available free space to determine your storage capacity.

A better practice would be to use the Flash media server to save a file or to save it to a remote drive. If you inadvertently fill all available space, you risk losing your stream during a streaming event.

11.

Click Save Settings.

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Advanced Operations

Click Edit next to the setting you want to modify.

IMPORTANT! These advanced settings affect the way the Encoder performs and if set

incorrectly may lead to abnormal encoder operations. Refer to Error! Not a valid result for table. for suggested values for the type of video you are streaming.

Change the value.

Click Update.

Click the Restore Defaults link at the bottom of the window to return the settings to the defaults.

Note: The database has seven profiles. Clicking Restore Defaults for one profile will

change all profiles back to the default settings.

Click Save Settings.

H.264 presets tab

These advanced settings affect the way the encoder performs and if set incorrectly may lead to abnormal encoder operations (Figure 34). Each preset contains properties that you can modify. Refer to Appendix B for suggested values for the type of video you are streaming.

Figure 34. H.264 presets tab

To configure H.264 presets:

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Niagara 2200 User Guide

MPEG4 encoder

To create an encoder, Encoders  All Encoders  Create New Encoder link  Encoder Name field.

When you create a new encoder, the Encoder Properties window appears. The steps for editing a new encoder or an existing encoder are identical. You must configure the video and audio settings for each encoder type.

Use the Video, Audio, and Output tabs to edit the settings. Begin with configuring the video and audio settings, then the server and destination settings. The server and destination settings are different for each type of encoder.

From the Encoder Properties window (Figure 35), you can set the encoder to start streaming automatically by selecting the Auto Start check box. You can also start an encoder from this window by clicking the Start MPEG4 Encoder link in the top right corner of the window.

IMPORTANT! If you make any changes to the Encoder Properties window, you must click Save Settings.

Otherwise, all your changes will be lost.

Figure 35. MPEG4 encoder

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Advanced Operations

Select the video input Source from the drop-down list.

In the Input field, select the video input.

IMPORTANT! The video input must match the connectors on the back of the system and your

video source.

In the Size field, select the pre-determined size of the encoded video from the drop-down list. You can also specify a custom size for your video. This customization is useful when you are capturing video to be played on a mobile video-device that requires a non-standard size for compatibility. When you click Custom, two additional fields (Figure 37) appear so you can enter the exact size you want the resulting video to be.

Note: The size in the Width and Height fields must be divisible by 2.

Figure 37. Custom fields

IMPORTANT! Ensure all of the encoders using the same video Proportion and Size settings

also use the same Video and Audio Source settings. For example, all encoders capturing at Standard proportion and CIF size are set to Video Device 1.1 while encoders capturing at Standard proportion but QCIF resolution are set to Video Device 1.2.

Click the type of Video Encoder for Internet video, mobile phones, set top boxes, and create media files for other MPEG-4 compatible devices such as iPods according to the Motion Picture Expert Group (MPEG) types (refer to Table 1 and Table 2).

Video tab

Figure 36. Video tab

To configure video settings:

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Niagara 2200 User Guide

IMPORTANT! Choose the container type (MP4, TS, 3GP, and 3G2) on the Output tab.

If you select MPEG4 from the drop-down list, the MPEG-4 Presets tab displays (see MPEG-4 Presets tab). The fields on the Video, Audio, and Output tabs will change depending on the

type of video encoder you select.

See TS Container for steps on streaming to a TS container.

Enter the frames per second in the Frame Rate field.

Enter the kilobits per second in the Bitrate field.

In the Format field, indicate the color space format.

IMPORTANT! If you specify a video size incompatible with the color space of your source

video, the system will automatically correct the size to the closest compatible setting when you click Save Settings.

Drag the sliders to adjust the Brightness, Contrast, Hue, and Saturation (Figure 38).

Figure 38. Video filter settings

Note: Click Restore to the right of the filter to reset the settings to the default.

Click the De-Interlace setting you want to apply (Figure 39). Options include:

 None

– Performs no de-interlacing of any kind.

 Auto

 Inverse Telecine

– Drops the redundant fields and reassembles the video in a 24 fps progressive format. – Applies inverse telecine de-interlacing to all telecine video. – Performs no de-interlacing of video that is not telecine. – Available for NTSC video only.

 Motion Adaptive

– Is an algorithm for de-interlacing pure video (non-telecine) content. – Applies motion adaptive interlacing to all video. It detects which portions of the image

are still and which portions are in motion then applies different processing to each scenario.

Figure 39. De-Interlace settings

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Advanced Operations

Note: Telecine and inverse telecine only apply to NTSC video. They are not used for PAL and

SECAM video. The system disables Auto and Inverse Telecine choices when you select either PAL as the video standard.

11.

Click Save Settings.

MPEG4 – MP4

MPEG-4 Part 2 is for situations where low bit rate and low resolution are mandated by other conditions of the applications, such as network bandwidth or device size. Examples of video applications for MPEG-4 are cell phones, some low-end video conferencing systems, and surveillance systems. MPEG-4 is important for legacy handheld devices that do not support H.264.

H264 – MP4

H.264, MPEG-4 Part 10, or AVC (Advanced Video Coding) was designed for high data compression while maintaining better quality than its predecessor, H.263. It also addresses a broad range of applications from low bit rate to high bit rate and from low resolution such as cell phones to high resolution such as broadcast.

MPEG2-TS

MPEG transport stream is a standard format for transmission and storage of audio, video, and Program and System Information Protocol (PSIP) data. It is used in broadcast systems such as DVB, ATSC and IPTV.

H.264-TS

H.264 encoding provided a MPEG-2 transport stream (TS) container.

The Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) defined 3GP as a multimedia container format for use on 3G mobile phones. It stores video streams such as MPEG-4 or H.264 and audio streams such as AAC.

This format has two defined standards:

 3GPP for GSM-based mobile phones  3GPP2 for CDMA-based mobile phones

This setting creates an H.263 stream stored in a 3GPP container.

H264 – 3GP

This setting creates an H.264 stream stored in a 3GP container.

H264 – 3G2

This setting creates an H.264 stream stored in a 3G2 container.

MPEG4 – 3GP

This setting creates an MPEG-4 stream stored in a 3GP container.

MPEG4 – 3G2

This setting creates an MPEG-4 stream stored in a 3G2 container.

H263 – 3GP

This setting creates an H.263 stream stored in a 3GP container.

H263 – 3G2

This setting creates an H.263 stream stored in a 3G2 container.

Table 1. MPEG encoder and container descriptions

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Table 2. Valid output container selections for video encoder types

Container

H.263 Video

MPEG-4

Video

H.264 Video

MPEG-

MP4

  3GP

  

3G2

   TS  

Niagara 2200 User Guide

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Advanced Operations

In the Source field, select an audio source from the drop-down list.

Select the Overlay Closed Caption check box to enable overlay closed captions. Field 1 CC 1 is the default setting.

Click the Audio Format.

Click the Audio Type. The drop-down list box provides two choices:

 Main – The same as Low Complexity, but adds backward prediction.  Low Complexity – The simplest and most widely used and supports AAC audio format.  HE-AAC V1 – Uses spectral band replication (SBR) to enhance the compression efficiency in

the frequency domain.

 HE-AAC V2 – Enhances the compression efficiency of stereo signals.

Note: Depending on the player on which the resulting stream will be heard, either choice will

use a specific set of tools to encode the audio stream. Make your choice based on the requirement of the playback software or device. The most widely supported format is the Low Complexity profile.

The default Audio Encoder is AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) – a standardized, lossy compression and encoding scheme for digital audio. AAC achieves better audio quality than MP3. AAC and MP3 are MPEG standards.

Note: MPEG-2 uses MP2 at Low Complexity only.

Click the Bitrate.

Drag the sliders to adjust the Left Volume and Right Volume.

(Optional) Select Mute Audio to silence audio.

Audio tab

Figure 40. Audio tab

To configure audio settings:

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Click Save Settings.

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Advanced Operations

Select Enable Streaming to stream your audiovisual content via RTSP.

Set the appropriate streaming properties.

Note: The default settings will enable multicast streaming. If you do not want this setting,

change the IP address for Group to the IP address of the server to which you want to stream from the encoder.

In the SDP File field, enter a name and a destination path for the resulting SDP file created when you start the stream. If you are streaming to a Helix, a QuickTime, or a Darwin server, refer to its respective documentation or online message boards for setup details specific for the individual streaming server.

Note: You can stream point-to-point by selecting a share destination directory for the saved

SDP file. Remember to disable multicasting by entering in the IP address of the PC to which you want to stream.

For example, if you want another PC to view the stream, save the SDP file to a share folder on the local drive. The other PC can open the SDP file and the stream can be played in a QuickTime or other MPEG-4 compatible streaming player. Since MPEG-4 encoding can be CPU intensive, it is not recommended that you view the stream on the same system as the Niagara SCX encoder unless you have a powerful system (dual-core processors or better). Doing so may overtax the host CPU, which will cause video quality

Output tab

Use the following table to configure the output settings for an MPEG4 encoder.

Note: This tab is dynamic depending upon which encoder you select on the Video tab. The

choices in the drop-down list may vary.

Figure 41. Output tab

To configure output settings:

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Niagara 2200 User Guide

degradation and encode session failure.

Select Save to File to save the encoded content to a file. Each time you start this encoder, the system overwrites the previous file.

Select Create unique file to create a file that the system does not overwrite.

Accept the default location that displays in the File Name field or choose your own location for the file (Figure 42). To choose your own personal location select the link (horizontal ellipses or … ) to the right of the File Name field and display the options.

Note: By default, the system sets this folder to D:\AVFiles with a default file name of

capture.mp4.

Figure 42. Select a folder

WARNING! You can only media files to drive D. Check drive properties for available free

space to determine your storage capacity.

A better practice would be to use the streaming server to save a file or to save it to a remote drive. If you fill all available space, you risk losing your stream during a streaming event.

Click the Container Type.

Select Enable Injection to inject and SDP file onto your server.

Enter the username and password.

10.

Enter the Server SDP File Name.

11.

Enter the Server Port Number.

12.

Click Save Settings.

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Advanced Operations

Click Edit next to the property you want to modify.

IMPORTANT! These advanced presets affect the way the encoder performs and if set

incorrectly may lead to abnormal encoder operations. Refer to the H.264 Presets section for suggested values for the type of video you are streaming.

Change the Value.

Click Update.

Click the Restore Defaults link at the bottom of the window to return the settings to the default.

Note: The database has multiple properties for each preset. Clicking Restore Defaults for one

property will change all properties to the default settings.

H.264 Presets tab

Each preset contains properties that you can modify. Use the following table to configure the H.264 presets analog input settings for an MPEG4 encoder.

Note: The choices in the drop-down list may vary.

Figure 43. H.264 Presets tab

To configure H.264 presets:

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MPEG-4 Presets tab

Click Edit next to the property you want to modify.

IMPORTANT! These advanced presets affect the way the encoder performs and if set

incorrectly may lead to abnormal encoder operations. Refer to the H.264 Presets section for suggested values for the type of video you are streaming.

Change the Value.

Click Update.

Click the Restore Defaults link at the bottom of the window to return the settings to the default.

Note: The database has multiple properties for each preset. Clicking Restore Defaults for one

property will change all properties to the default settings.

Each preset contains properties that you can modify.

Figure 44. MPEG-4 Presets tab

Niagara 2200 User Guide

To configure MPEG-4 presets:

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Advanced Operations

Click Edit next to the property you want to modify.

IMPORTANT! These advanced presets affect the way the encoder performs and if set

incorrectly may lead to abnormal encoder operations. Refer to the H.264 Presets section for suggested values for the type of video you are streaming.

Change the Value.

Click Update.

Click the Restore Defaults link at the bottom of the window to return the settings to the default.

Note: The database has multiple properties for each preset. Clicking Restore Defaults for one

property will change all properties to the default settings.

MPEG-2 Presets tab

Each preset contains properties that you can modify. Use the following table to configure the MPEG-2 presets analog input settings for an MPEG2 encoder.

Note: The choices in the drop-down list may vary.

Figure 45. MPEG-2 Presets tab

To configure MPEG-2 presets:

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Windows Media encoder

To create an encoder, Encoders  All Encoders  Create New Encoder link  Encoder Name field.

Use the Video, Audio, Output, and DRM tabs to edit the settings. Begin with configuring the video and audio settings, then the server and destination settings. The server and destination settings are different for each type of encoder.

From the Encoder Properties window (),you can set the encoder to start streaming automatically by selecting the Auto Start check box. You can also start an encoder from this window by clicking the Start Windows Media Encoder link in the top right corner of the window.

IMPORTANT! If you make any changes to the Encoder Properties window, you must click Save Settings.

Otherwise, all your changes will be lost.

Figure 46. Windows Media encoder

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Select the video input Source from the drop-down list.

In the Input field, select the video input.

IMPORTANT! The video input must match the connectors on the back of the system and your

video source.

Note: The size in the Width and Height fields must be divisible by 2.

Figure 48. Custom fields

IMPORTANT! Ensure all of the encoders using the same video Proportion and Size settings

also use the same Video and Audio Source settings.

Drag the sliders to adjust the Brightness, Contrast, Hue, and Saturation.

Figure 49. Video Filter Settings

Video tab

Figure 47. Video tab

To configure video settings:

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Note: Click Restore to the right of each filter to return the setting to the default.

Click the De-Interlace settings you want to apply (Figure 50). Options include:

 None

– Performs no de-interlacing of any kind.

 Auto

 InverseTelecine

 Motion Adaptive

– Is an algorithm for de-interlacing pure video (non-telecine) content. – Applies motion adaptive interlacing to all video. It detects which portions of the image

are still and which portions are in motion then applies different processing to each scenario.

Figure 50. De-Interlace settings

Note: Telecine and inverse telecine only apply to NTSC video. They are not used for PAL and

SECAM video. The system disables Auto and Inverse Telecine choices when you select either PAL as the video standard.

Click Save Settings.

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Advanced Operations

In the Source field, select an audio source from the drop-down list.

Select the Overlay Closed Caption check box to enable overlay closed captions. Field 1 CC 1 is the default setting.

Select the Embedded Closed Caption to embed the closed captions.

Drag the slider to adjust the Left Volume and Right Volume.

(Optional) Select Mute Audio to silence audio.

Click Save Settings.

Audio tab

Figure 51. Audio tab

To configure audio settings:

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Output tab

Windows Media is both a storage format and a streaming format. In addition to the ability to output to a file, the Windows Media encoder can stream to a Windows Media Server. The settings for Windows Media encoder include the ability to set parameters for connecting and streaming to the server.

Some Windows Media Capture Profiles have pre-defined video resolutions and input selections. When you select a Windows Media Capture Profile, verify your current video and audio settings have not been modified. If they have been modified, simply change these settings back to their previous settings and click Save Settings.

When streaming audio and video, the two methods are pull and push.

Pull method

In the pull method, the system begins to generate broadcast packets as soon as you start as soon as you start the encoding. However, it does not deliver the broadcast stream until Windows Media Server requests the stream. This method does not provide a secure connection to the server and should only be used if the encoder and server reside within the same network firewall.

To enable clients to pull the stream from the Niagara system, set up a session and begin broadcasting directly from the system. Clients (Windows Media servers or players) can connect to the stream at any time. You can use mms or http scheme with either the IP address of DNS host name. For example:

http://encoding_computer_name:port

Push method

With the push method, the system maintains a secure connection to Windows Media Server. This connection allows it to pass a user name and password to authenticate access to the server.

http://IP_address:port/publishing point

By default, the system supports up to 50 direct connections during a broadcast, but if you’re sending to

a lot of clients push to Windows Media Server. Use the pull method for testing. Use the push method for a wide distribution.

Note: The more direct connections to the system, the more system resources are required.

ViewCast does not recommend directly connecting players to the system. Streaming servers should connect to the system and, in turn, players should connect to the servers.

Use the following table to configure the output analog input settings for a Windows Media encoder.

Note: The choices in the drop-down list may vary.

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Advanced Operations

Click on a Windows Media Capture Profile from the drop-down list.

Select Enable Pull.

Enter a port number that the server will use to pull the stream from the Niagara system.

Select Enable Push.

IMPORTANT! Be sure to enter a port number not already assigned to another encoder. If two

encoders attempt to use the same port number, one or both encoders will fail to start.

Enter a port number that the server will use to push the stream from the Niagara system.

Enter the Server name or IP address.

Enter the Publishing Point.

Note: This field is optional.

Enter the User Name.

Enter the Password.

10.

Select Enable Scripting to embed closed captions.

Note: If closed captions is enabled through the Osprey driver, you cannot enable scripting.

11.

You can either:

 Select Save to File to save the encoded content to a file. Each time you start this encoder,

the system overwrites the previous file.

 Select Index the file to drag the slider to any point in your video capture.  Select Create unique file to create a file that the system does not overwrite.

12.

Accept the default location that displays in the File Name field or choose your own location for

the file. To choose your own personal location select the link (horizontal ellipses or … ) to the

right of the File Name field and display the options (Figure 53).

Figure 52. Output tab

To configure output settings:

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Note: By default, the system sets this folder to D:\AVFiles with a default file name of

capture.wmv.

Figure 53. Select a folder

WARNING! You can only save media files to drive D. Check drive properties for available free

space to determine your storage capacity.

A better practice would be to use the streaming server to save a file or to save it to a remote drive. If you fill all available space, you risk losing your stream during a streaming event.

13.

Click Save Settings.

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Advanced Operations

Select Enable DRM.

Click the DRM Profile you wish to apply from the drop-down list.

Note: When you enable DRM, Niagara SCX automatically changes the Windows Media

Capture Profile setting to a DRM-compatible Windows Media 9 setting. You may need to

adjust this setting after you enable DRM.

Click Save Settings.

DRM tab

You can protect your content using a technology called Digital Rights Management (DRM). Niagara SCX allows you to encrypt your content with DRM technology while you are encoding. You can apply DRM while encoding to a file and when broadcasting a stream. Users are required to obtain a license to play to content. This license contains the key to unlock the content and the rights that govern its use (Figure

54).

Refer to Appendix A on how to set up and import a DRM profile.

Figure 54. DRM tab

To configure DRM settings:

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In the Video Encoder field on the Video tab, select either MPEG2 or H264.

Note: H.264 and MPEG2 are the only currently accepted video encoder types that will

output with the TS container.

TS Container

When you configure an MPEG4 encoder you can select MPEG2 Transport Stream as the container type for the Video Encoder. To enable TS container streaming, you need to create either a new MPEG4 encoder or edit an existing MPEG4 encoder.

Note: The Type on the Encoders page (Encoders  All Encoders) displays as 264.

Streaming to a TS container

Figure 55. MPEG4 encoder

To configure TS container settings:

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TS Container

On the Output tab, Select TS as the Container Type.

Figure 56. MPEG4 Output tab

Click on the Video tab. Two additional fields display: Video Bitrate and Mux Bitrate.

Select either:

 Video Bitrate and enter how much bandwidth to use for the video in the Bitrate field.  Mux Bitrate and enter the total bitrate the stream will consume (video and audio) in the

Bitrate field on the Audio tab.

Figure 57. New Video Encode Settings

Click on the Audio tab.

Figure 58. Audio Output Settings

Select the Bitrate from the drop-down list.

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View all the bitrates on the Output tab in the MPEGTS Muxer Settings.

Figure 59. MPEGTS Muxer Settings

Note: The total isn’t simply Audio Bitrate + Video Bitrate. A small amount of overhead is built

in ~10% of the Mux.

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TS Container

Select Enable Streaming on the Output tab.

Select the protocol. Currently only UDP and RTP are supported.

Figure 61. Server Settings  Scheme

Select either:

 Unicast – To stream to a single computer or device.  Multicast – To stream to many computers and/or devices.

Figure 62. Server Settings

Streaming

Streaming to a file with the TS container is the same for the other containers. Streaming is slightly different.

Output tab

Figure 60. Output tab  Enable Streaming

To configure streaming:

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Enter the Destination IP (must be an IPv4 address). If you select Unicast, then the IP address can not be in the 224.0.0.0 – 239.255.255 range. If you select Multicast, then the IP address must be in the 224.0.0.0 – 239.255.255.255 range.

Enter a valid Port.

Enter a Time to Live.

Click Save Settings.

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Displays the CPU usage. Click the link to open the System Configuration window to adjust the CPU threshold.

Click this link to create a new group.

Click this link to edit a group.

Click this link to delete a group.

Displays the name of the group. Click this link to sort the groups by name.

Click this link to display the Active Encoder Group window and assign an encoder or group of encoders to the Stream button.

Click this link to view and the encoder assigned to this group.

Indicates the encoders assigned to this group.

Displays the total number of groups for this encoder.

Click this link to start this group.

Click this link to stop this group.

Encoder Groups

Encoder groups represent the cornerstone for streaming on the Niagara 2200. You must have at least one group assigned on the Niagara 2200 and one encoder profile assigned to that group.

Viewing encoder groups

The Encoder Groups window (Figure 63), a subset of Encoders (on the Encoders window), allows you to view the list of encoder groups available on the Niagara 2200. Click Encoders  Groups from the menu bar on the home page.

Figure 63. Encoder Groups window

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Encoder Groups

Enter the name of the group.

Click on the preset button you want to assign to this encoder group.

Click on the encoders you want to assign to the group.

Click Submit.

Note: On the Niagara 2200, the new group created is automatically assigned as the active

group.

Creating encoder groups

If two encoders try to use the same port number at the same time, an error will occur.

Select the Create New Group link on the Encoder Groups window. The encoder groups fields display (Figure 64).

Figure 64. Encoder Groups window

To create encoder groups:

Note: It is possible to assign one encoder to two different encoder groups.

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Click on the encoder group from the Select a Group drop-down list.

Note: Click on the Create New Group link to display the Encoder Groups window and

add new groups.

Click Submit.

Assigning encoder groups

You can assign an encoder or group of encoders to the front panel Stream button using the Active Encoder Group window (Figure 65). Click Encoders  Active Group.

Figure 65. Active Encoder Group window

To assign encoder groups:

Note: You can only assign one group at a time to the Stream button with a maximum of 12

groups.

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Encoder Groups

Starting an encoder group

To start an encoder group, click the Start link to the right in the Start column of the group you want to start. The encoder group will start in a few seconds. The system displays any errors on the Starting window while the group starts.

Note: With each encoder started, more system resources (CPU cycles) are consumed. ViewCast

recommends the total CPU threshold not exceed 80 %.

Stopping an encoder group

To stop an encoder group, click the Stop link to the right in the Stop column of the group you want to stop. The encoder group will stop in a few seconds. The system displays any errors on the Stopping window while the group stops.

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Enter the name of the group.

Click Yes or No.

Click on the encoders you want to assign to the group.

Click Submit.

Editing encoder groups

Click the Edit link on the Encoder window. The Encoder Groups window displays (Figure 66).

Figure 66. Encoder Groups window

To edit encoder groups:

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Additional Settings and Features

Configuring Niagara 2200 properties

The Niagara 2200 Machine Properties window (Figure 67) provides details on software versions, network name, serial number, and hard drive configurations. Click Configuration  Niagara 2200 Properties from the menu bar on the home page.

Figure 67. Machine Properties window

Most of the data on this window provides information only and users cannot alter it. However, you can modify two fields:

 Computer name  Admin password

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Click the Edit link next to the Computer Name field (Figure 68).

Figure 68. Computer Name field

The screen refreshes and the Computer Name field becomes an editable text field. Type in a new name for the Niagara 2200.

Click Submit at the bottom of the page.

Note: The page refreshes, and the system prompts you to reboot the Niagara

2200. Your changes do not take effect until the system restarts.

Click the Reboot Now link to restart the system and apply the Computer Name change.

Note: The restart process takes approximately two minutes to complete.

When the Niagara 2200 restarts, use the new system name in the IE browser URL to return to the Login window.

If you close your web browser and later want to log into the web interface, you must use the new computer name you created or the IP address of the appliance to access the Niagara 2200.

Changing computer name

The Computer Name field contains the current network name for the Niagara 2200. This name is the same name you typed into the web browser to access the Niagara SCX web interface.

To change the computer name:

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Click the admin link in the User Name field.

Note: The system displays a new window (Figure 70) that allows you to change

your login password for the web interface.

Figure 70. Password change window

Note: You cannot change the User Name for the web interface from this window.

Type your current password in the Password field. Continue by typing your desired new password in both the New Password and Confirm New Password fields. The web interface password is case sensitive.

Click the Change Password button. The system displays a confirmation page. You must log back into the web interface with your password.

Changing the login password from the factory

default

The Niagara 2200 Properties section has two fields: User Name and Serial Number. You can only change the User Name field, which changes the User Password from the factory default (Figure 69).

Figure 69. Properties section

To change login password:

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Restoring the login password to the factory default

If you forget or lose your password, you can restore the default password by running the Restore Niagara 2200 Factory Defaults option. For more information, see Restore Niagara 2200 Factory Defaults in the System Configuration section later in this chapter.

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Click this link to configure email settings on the System Configuration Settings window.

Click the Edit link next to the alert you want to change settings on.

Enable the Send Email check box to send an email to multiple recipients should an alarm occur.

Note: You can optionally send an email alert to specific email address in the event of

an application alarm. You must specify the email address where you want an alert sent, along with your email server user name, password, and server name. For more information about configuring the Niagara 2200 to send email alerts, see the System Configuration section.

Enable the Light Alarm check box. The alarm light on the front panel of the Niagara 2200 will automatically light when an alarm condition exists.

Displays the type of alert.

Provides a description of the type of alert.

Configuring alerts

Click Configuration  Alerts from the menu bar on the home page. The Alerts window (Figure 71) allows you to configure alerts for different situations that may occur during streaming or other operations.

Figure 71. Alerts window

To configure alerts:

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Configuring network properties

The Network Properties window (Figure 72) provides detailed information on the current network settings for the Niagara 2200 Network Cards. Click Configuration  Network Properties from the menu bar on the home page.

Figure 72. Network Properties

Configuring network card(s)

The Niagara 2200 has two Gigabit network connections available on the Network Properties window,

Network Card(s) field). Select the card you wish to view from the drop-down menu in the Network Card(s) field (Figure 73) to view the current properties for each card.

Figure 73. Network card options

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Click the Use the following IP information checkbox.

Enter the appropriate information in the IP Address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, Preferred DNS Server and Alternate DNS Server fields.

Click Submit.

The system detects the network link.

The system does not detect the network link.

Configuring IP address

Depending on your system configuration, you may need to configure the IP Address (Figure 74).

Figure 74. IP address

To configure IP address:

Configuring advanced settings (network)

Advanced network settings provides the Niagara 2200 network name, MAC Address, and server IP address settings (Figure 75).

Figure 75. Advanced Settings

The Niagara 2200 network name (VP12280005) is a link. If you click this link, the system transfers you to the Machine Properties window. From this window, you can change the name of the Niagara 2200.

The Active Network Link field uses one of two icons to indicate whether the network interface card selected has a network connected.

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IP Route table

This window enables you to change the IP destination. Only experienced professionals should adjust these settings.

Figure 76. IP Route table

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System configuration settings

The System Configuration Settings window (Figure 77) allows you to modify your Niagara 2200 default system settings. You can configure email settings to enable Niagara 2200 to send an email to predefined email addresses any time the Niagara 2200 encoder encounters an alert condition. You can also customize the information the Niagara 2200 displays on its front panel when the system exists in idle mode.

This window also allows you to restore your Niagara 2200 to its original factory disk image and return all the system settings to their original states. Using the Restore Niagara 2200 Factory defaults option removes all custom settings. It takes approximately 15 to 40 minutes to complete.

Click Configuration  System Configuration from the menu bar on the home page.

Figure 77. System Configuration

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Click the Hour in the drop-down list.

Click the Minutes in the drop-down list.

Click AM and PM in the drop-down list.

Click the Change Date link. A calendar appears.

Click the date on the calendar.

Click the Video Standard from the drop-down list.

Click Submit.

Setting current system configuration

You can set the current time, date, and the video standard for all encoders (Figure 78).

Figure 78. Current System Configuration

To set current system configuration:

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Configuring email settings

Enter the email address you want the system to send the email. Separate multiple email addresses with a comma.

Enter a valid originating email address.

Enter a subject line for your email alert.

Enter the SMTP user name for server access.

Note: If you are unfamiliar with setting up an SMTP Email account for sending email,

contact your network administrator for assistance.

Enter the password if required.

Note: For security purposes, the password for your account does not display once the

system enters it into the Niagara 2200 settings. Although this field appears blank after you click Submit, the system retains the password information.

If you change any information in this dialog box, you need to re-enter your SMTP password before clicking Submit. Not doing so overwrites the previously entered password with a blank entry.

Enter the name of the SMTP server.

Click the Save and Send Test Email to test your settings. The resulting window reports the email as successful or it sends information that a send failure occurred.

Click Submit.

Figure 79. Email/SMTP Setting fields

To set current system configuration:

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Configuring default directory setting

The Niagara 2200 stores AV files when you click the Save to File option in the encoder profile in the Default AV folder. Refer to the Save to File option under the Flash Encoder Properties (Figure 80) sections for information on setting an encoder profile to create an AV file.

Note: ViewCast strongly recommends you do not alter the default directory setting unless you

understand the risk of saving your files to a directory not located on the D: drive. If you save your files to another drive on the Niagara 2200, the system could delete the files when you use the Restore to Niagara 2200 Factory Defaults feature.

Only drive D on the Niagara 2200 has available storage to save your files. This drive has approximately 100 Gigabytes of storage capacity.

Use drives C, E, and F strictly for the Niagara 2200 operational programs. Any modifications to these drives can permanently damage your system and void your warranty.

Figure 80. Default AV Folder field

Setting the high temperature alert

The Alert Configuration links to the Niagara 2200 Alerts window (Figure 81). Refer to pertinent previous sections in this user guide for information on setting the Niagara 2200 Alerts.

Figure 81. High Temperature Alert

You can enable an alert if the Niagara 2200 reaches a predefined maximum temperature level. To set the temperature level, click an option from the drop-down menu (Figure 82).

Figure 82. Drop-Down Temperature Setting Options

Setting CPU thresholds

You may set the CPU Threshold field (Figure 83) to accommodate optimal encoding capabilities. You also may set the time between repetitive intervals for checking the CPU threshold.

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Figure 83. Encoder Startup Settings

Note: ViewCast recommends a CPU threshold setting of 80% or lower.

Setting SimulStream filters

You may indicate the number of SimulStream filters per video device using the SimulStream Settings field (Figure 84).

Figure 84. SimulStream settings

Restoring Niagara 2200 factory defaults

Restore to Factory Defaults allows you to restore drive C to its original factory system defaults. This action removes all data (including stored files) on the primary drive and reinstalls the original factory image.

CAUTION! Select this option only if you wish to return your system to its factory defaults.

Selecting this option erases all data currently stored on drive C and stops all currently running programs. Remove any USB memory device before performing a Factory Restore.

This operation takes approximately 15 to 45 minutes to complete. Do not power off or interrupt the system restore once it starts. All services automatically restart when the system restore completes. You may then use the Niagara 2200 web interface tool to reset the time, date, and video format.

Click the Restore Niagara 2200 Factory defaults link on the Configuration  System Configuration Settings window to start the process (Figure 85).

Figure 85. Restore Factory defaults

Figure 86 provides you details regarding the process you are about to execute and allows you the opportunity to cancel the process by clicking Back to Home Page.

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Figure 86. Restore Factory Defaults

Note: Restore to Factory Defaults rebuilds the Niagara 2200 primary disk drive C with the

original system image. You lose all custom settings and any files saved to drive C. You cannot reverse this process. However, you can manually re-enter your custom settings once the Niagara 2200 restore process completes.

Use the default directory, D:\AV Files\, for saving your audio and video files. The system only re-images drive C when you use the Restore to Factory Defaults option. It preserves all files and folders on drive D. Always use the default directory – drive D – for storage of personal files to ensure the system does not remove your personal files.

WARNING! Remember that the system deletes all previously stored encoder profiles and groups

when you restore it to its factory defaults. Unless you select the Save encoder profiles check box.

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Displays the system date and time stamps for each event. Click this link to sort the activities by date.

Indicates the type of activity. Click this link to sort the activities by type.

Select the types of activity you wish to view. Options include:

 Show All  General  Errors  Warnings

Displays a description of the activity.

Click this link to clear all logged activities.

Displays the total number of records for the selected view type. Click the printer icon for a printer friendly view of activity log. When the print friendly view appears, click File  Print to print a hard copy or save a soft copy of the Activity Log.

Viewing the activity log

The Activity Log records the encoder Start and Stop events. The system updates the log for every event including the date and time. To view the activity log, on the home page click Status  View Activity Log.

Figure 87. Activity Log window

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Displays the date and time that the alert occurred.

Displays the message ID number for the alert and the description.

Indicates the total number of alerts.

Click this icon to clear all alerts.

Viewing alerts

Click Status  View Alerts from the home page. The Alerts Window updates with every alert event on the Niagara 2200. The alerts include any specific alert events for the encoder.

Figure 88. Alerts window

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Connecting an external storage device

The Niagara 2200 provides two USB ports, one on the front panel and one on the rear panel. You can connect almost any standard USB memory device to one or both of these ports. This allows you to export any AV files you created on the local storage drive of the Niagara 2200. The encoder defaults to set the local storage drive D when you use the Save to File setting with the Niagara 2200 web interface.

When you insert a USB memory device in one of the USB ports on the Niagara 2200, the Niagara 2200 automatically detects the removable storage device, and assigns a drive letter to the device. Use standard Windows methods to transfer AV files from drive D to the attached USB device.

Using the Niagara SCX interface

You may wish to perform even more advanced setup and operations. To do so, you may choose to access the Niagara SCX interface. You may access the Niagara SCX interface through a remote desktop by connecting a monitor, keyboard, and mouse to the Niagara 2200 or by installing the Niagara SCX Explorer on a remote computer. Use the Niagara SCX User Guide for specific information on how to use the Niagara SCX and the Niagara SCX Explorer software.

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SNMP

This section provides installation and setup information for the ViewCast SNMP agent service. This release supports SNMP v1 and SNMP v2c. SNMP v3 will be supported in future releases.

It is assumed that the SNMP agent service will be installed and run in the Niagara® system on Windows 7 platform.

In order for SNMP agent in the system to function fully, you need to install and run the following services:

 Native Windows SNMP service  Supero Doctor III agent service (also called SuperMicro Health Assistant Service)  SNMP agent service

The native Windows SNMP service implements standard MIB functions such as those defined in RFC1213-MIB, HOST-RESOURCES-MIB including IP address table, interface table (MAC addresses) and traps of cold start, interface link up, link down, etc.

The Supero Doctor III SNMPagent service is a third-party SNMP agent provided by Super Micro Computer to monitor the health of system devices, such as fan speed, CPU temperature, system temperature, etc.

The ViewCast SNMP Agent service will run as the master SNMP agent in the system. It will not only implement ViewCast private MIBs as listed below, but also provide proxy functions to relay SNMP requests/responses associated with those objects managed by other SNMP sub-agents.

 The private MIBs include VIEWCAST-AVENCODER-MIB and VIEWCAST-AVENCODER-TRAP-

MIB, etc.

IMPORTANT! In the current release, while running ViewCast SNMP agent service, it is

recommended that you Disable the IIS (Internet Information Services) logging for ViewCast Encoders Web Service. This action avoids space being filled by IIS log files (see Disable IIS Logging for ViewCast Encoders Web Service).

You need to enable monitoring for the associated devices on which SNMP traps are expected in case the device parameter is out of the pre-defined range. In the current release, health monitoring related SNMP traps are only available for devices such as fan speed, CPU temperature, and system temperature (see Install and Configure Supero Doctor III Agent Service.)

External SNMP Manager

With ViewCast SNMP agent enabled in each Niagara system, you can start a single SNMP manager at a central location to manage one or multiple systems at the same time.

The external SNMP manager could be a GUI-based commercial or free application tool or an SNMP scripting tool. The SNMP manager is your choice.

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SNMP UDP Ports Used by SNMP Manager and

SNMP Agents

UDP Port for SNMP Requests

When the external SNMP manager expects to “talk” to the ViewCast SNMP agent, it sends SNMP requests to the ViewCast SNMP agent over the default SNMP UDP port 161 with the following parameters:

 Correct IP address of the encoder system  Other parameters such as an appropriate community name  Configure the corresponding community name

Note: For SNMP v1/v2c version, a community name is treated as a password to access the

resources managed by the SNMP agent. Different community names can have different access rights such as NOTIFY ONLY, READ ONLY, WRITE ONLY, READ WRITE and READ CREATE etc.

You can configure the ViewCast SNMP agent to receive SNMP requests over a different UDP port other than 161 (see Use UDP Port Other Than 161 for SNMP Requests).

Note: Once you configure the SNMP UDP port, you don’t have to manually enable in the firewall

setting. Instead, it is enabled automatically when the ViewCast SNMP agent is started.

Because the ViewCast SNMP agent acts as the master agent and “talks” to the external

SNMP manager, it is not necessary to enable the firewall setting on the same UDP port for the native SNMP service.

UDP Port for SNMP Traps

SNMP traps are sent from the SNMP agent to the SNMP trap listener. You can monitor and receive SNMP traps over UDP port 162 from one or multiple SNMP-enabled Niagara systems. Perform the following to monitor and receive SNMP traps:

 Configure the IP address where the SNMP trap listener runs as one of the trap destinations for

each affected ViewCast SNMP agent.

 Configure the corresponding community name.  Keep running an SNMP trap listener application to monitor traps over SNMP UDP port 162 with an

appropriate community name.

 Allow the trap listener to pass through the firewall on UDP port 162.

Note: Choosing a trap listener is up to you. The trap listener doesn’t have to run on the system.

Instead, it runs in a centralized location.

If you use the Windows SNMP Trap Service as the trap listener, you need to make sure Windows SNMP Trap Service is installed, started, and allowed to pass through the firewall on UDP port 162.

94 ViewCast

ViewCast Nagara 2200 User Manual

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