birddog MINI User manual

USER GUIDE |OCTOBER 2018
MINI
THE WORLD’S SMALLEST NDI ENCODER AND DECODER.

WELCOME TO THE FUTURE.

4.
GETTING TO KNOW MINI
Physical connectors
Powering Mini
PoE (Power over Ethernet)
DC/D-Tap
Thermal management
5.
POWERING ON SEQUENCE
Indication of system boot process
OPERATING MINI
Web configuration panel
Access via web browser (URL)
BirdDog Finder application
Accessing Mini via an IP address
Accessing Mini on a network without a DHCP server
6.
PASSWORD MANAGEMENT
Default password
Password reset
CONFIGURING VIDEO INPUTS
Automatic input
7.
Semi-automatic input
Manual input
8.
AUDIO
Enabling or disabling Audio
Audiosetup
8.
NDI DECODE OPERATION
Changing modes from NDI Encoder to NDI Decoder
Selecting an NDI source to decode
Changing back to NDI Encode operation
9.
NETWORK SETTINGS AND DEVICE NAMING
Device naming
IP configuration method
DHCP IP address
Static IP address
10.
TALLY SUPPORT
Onboard Tally
Program Tally
Preview Tally
Tally border overlay on loop
11.
FACTORY RESET
Settings reset
FIRMWARE UPDATE
12.
RECEIVING MINI STREAMS
NewTek Studio Monitor
NewTek TriCaster Series
MINI
THE WORLD’S SMALLEST NDI ENCODER AND DECODER.

GETTING TO KNOW MINI
Thanks for purchasing BirdDog Mini. Please take some
time to read this document to allow you to get the most
out of your purchase and familiarize yourself with the
features available in the unit.
Physical connectors
1. LED Display monitor
2. 1Gb Ethernet (Power over Ethernet)
3. HDMI Input
4. HDMI Output
5. Audio Headset connector
6. DC Input (5-18v DC)
7. Reset Switch
Powering Mini
Mini is equipped with a sophisticated system allowing
power from various sources:
PoE (Power over Ethernet)
PoE is a convenient way to power Mini as it allows both data
and power to be sent through the same standard Ethernet
cable. To take advantage of PoE, the network switch that
Mini is directly plugged into must support PoE, in either
802.11at or 802.11af standard.
Different network switches are capable of providing
differing amounts of total power to all connected devices.
Mini uses approximately 7 watts in PoE mode.
DC/D-Tap
Located at the side of Mini is a DC connection port. This
power input socket is capable of accepting power in a
range of voltages from 5–18 volts DC. Mini can be powered
by the included AC adaptor or alternatively via the optional
D-Tap cable to power using a D-Tap compatible battery.
Thermal management
Mini has been engineered to be passively cooled, no fans
are required. In order to achieve this the entire enclosure of
Mini is designed to dissipate heat. The main processor is
capable of operating up to 100 degrees Celsius / 212
degrees Fahrenheit.
Some factors affect how much heat BirdDog will produce,
and it is normal for it to feel warm to the touch.
In extreme circumstances (a hot day/direct hot sun) it is
advised to power Mini via DC or D-Tap as this produces
less heat than PoE.
BirdDog has been tested in extreme environments.
4

BOOTING UP YOUR BIRDDOG MINI
Indication of system boot process
As soon as BirdDog Mini detects a power input signal the
left hand 'power/fault' light will light up green.1
Typically the status will change after 10-20 seconds, at this
point the middle 'status' light will light up blue to indicate
the second stage of booting has begun.2
The final stage of booting will show the status light change
to white indicating the BirdDog is ready and able to be
found on the computer network.3
After initial boot up is complete your Mini unit will be visible
as a source on any NDI compatible devices on the SAME
ethernet subnet.
For further networking architecture instructions including
routing please consult either your system administrator or
the support page at bird-dog.tv
OPERATING MINI
Web configuration panel
In this release, the web configuration panel allows you to
alter key settings of Mini, specifically video source settings,
and video frame rates, restarting the video processing
engine, changing networking parameters, and applying
firmware updates.
Access via web browser (URL)
To access the web configuration panel please point your
computer web browser to: http://birddog-xxxxx.local/
“xxxxx” is the serial number of the Mini, the serial number
is printed on the box and on the main unit. Note the web
address is case sensitive and should be all lower case. Your
computer will need to have ‘Bonjour’ services loaded in
order to access the unit via it’s ‘friendly’ name described
above.
Apple devices come pre-installed with Bonjour, while
Windows devices need a small plugin available here:
https://support.apple.com/kb/dl999?locale=en_AU
BirdDog Finder application
In addition to typing this URL in manually there is an applica-
tion: BirdDog Finder, which is available from http://www.-
bird-dog.tv/firmware-updates. This application looks on the
local network for any NDI capable Mini and launches the web
configuration interface directly from the application.
Accessing Mini via an IP address
Mini is configured to automatically receive a network (IP)
address from the computer network via DHCP (Dynamic
Host Configuration Protocol). Most corporate, education
and home networks have a DHCP server present on the
network to allow this to occur. Usually your Internet Router
provides this.
If Mini receives an IP address automatically from this server
(DHCP) the IP address can be discovered in several ways,
including the BirdDog Finder application available from:
http://www.bird-dog.tv/firmware-updates
Accessing Mini on a network without a DHCP server
Some standalone or private networks may not have a DHCP
server. After 15 seconds of searching for an automatically
assigned IP address Mini will fall back to a default address
which is:
192.168.100.100
In order to access the web configuration panel on a network
which is configured to a different subnet, change your
computers IP address to match the BirdDog unit. Once you
gain access to the BirdDog web configuration panel choose
your IP address to match the rest of the devices on your
network.
For instructions on setting your computers IP address
please consult your computer operating system manual or
IT support resources.
5
1 2 3
BirdDog Mini - REV nº
SERIAL xx:xx:xx:x x:xx:xx
Note: only the last 5 digits are required
for accessing the web interface.

PASSWORD MANAGEMENT
Once you direct your web browser to the web configuration
panel you will need to log in to change any settings.
Default password
The web configuration panel is secured by a user-selectable
password. The default password is:
birddog (one word, lower case).
It is recommended to change this password in a network
environment where Mini is shared with other users (e.g. not
private). By entering this password, the user is granted full
access to the Mini configuration settings and could
interrupt a live program.
To change the password simply login using the default
password, navigate to the network tab in the web interface,
and select change password.
Password reset
If you lose or forget your password, you must reset the Mini
to factory settings, which will allow logging back in using
the default birddog password. Please see page 11 for
instructions.
CONFIGURING VIDEO INPUTS
Automatic input
Mini will search for any active video input on startup. It will
continue to search until an active input is found.
Please note that the source from your camera or video
device needs to be in a supported video format.
Please check firmware release notes for list of supported
video formats.
MINI
Enter Password
Current video input:
Audiosetup:
Mute:
Tally:
Input selection:
AUTO/HDMI/1080i/25.0/YUV/ON
DASHBOARD NETWORK VIDEO DECODE SETTINGS LOGOUT
MINI
6

Manual input
Manual input configures Mini to only look at the selected
video source for a specific video format and color space.
This can be useful if your source is not correctly detected
by Mini.
BirdDog has taken as much care as possible to ensure any
source is automatically detected in the correct format,
however some cameras may send nonstandard timing
signals or incorrect metadata. In this case please configure
Mini with manual input to enable correct operation and
report your camera model and video format to BirdDog so
it can be added to the list of supported cameras.
Current video input:
Audiosetup:
Mute:
Tally:
Input selection:
Input:
Configuration:
AUTO/HDMI/1080i/25.0/YUV
DASHBOARD NETWORK VIDEO DECODE SETTINGS LOGOUT
MINI
Current video input:
Audiosetup:
Mute:
Tally:
Input selection:
Input:
Configuration:
Format:
Framerate:
Colorspace:
AUTO/HDMI/1080i/25.0/YUV
DASHBOARD NETWORK VIDEO DECODE SETTINGS LOGOUT
MINI
7

AUDIO
Enabling or disabling Audio
Mini can be configured to process embedded audio from
SDI or HDMI from within the web configuration console.
This setting is located in the Video section of the console
and operates in the following way:
Audio Mute ON
Audio is not passed through embedded SDI or HDMI.
Audio Mute OFF
Audio is passed through the embedded SDI or HDMI input
and streamed to the NDI receiver.
NDI DECODE OPERATION
Changing modes from NDI Encoder to NDI Decoder
BirdDog Can operate in either NDI Encode (converting
from HDMI to NDI) or NDI Decode (receiving an NDI signal
from the network and displaying it out the HDMI ports).
To change modes from the default NDI Encoder mode into
NDI decode navigate to the decode section of the web
interface.
Select DECODE mode from the selection box and press
APPLY.
Note that you must reboot the BirdDog unit once a new
operating mode is selected, dynamically switching will be
added in an upcoming firmware release.
Selecting an NDI source to decode
Once your BirdDog device has entered NDI decode mode
and successfully rebooted, you are able to select the source
that you wish to decode via the web interface.
All available sources are listed in the drop down menu in the
decode section of the web interface, select the desired
source and press apply to begin receiving this source.
Once your BirdDog unit is in Decode mode you can switch
between any available sources on the network by choosing
them from the drop down menu and pressing APPLY again.
Note. BirdDog can only decode video format and frame rate
sources, these formats are the same as what BirdDog
capable of encoding. If you are unable to successfully
receive a source, please double check that the video format
and frame rate are ones that are supported by your unit.
Changing back to NDI Encode operation
To change modes from NDI Decode mode back into NDI
Encode navigate to the decode section of the web interface.
Select ENCODE mode from the selection box and press
APPLY.
Note. You must reboot the BirdDog unit once a new opera-
ting mode is selected, dynamically switching will be added in
an upcoming firmware release.
Current video input:
Audiosetup:
Mute:
Tally:
Input selection:
AUTO/SDI/1080i/25.0/YUV
DASHBOARD NETWORK VIDEO DECODE SETTINGS LOGOUT
MINI
8

IP configuration method
You can configure Mini to operate on the network with a
dynamic (DHCP) IP address or a fixed address.
For smaller networks DHCP networking is generally
suitable, however larger networks with managed opera-
tions will often determine each device needs to have a
dedicated and static IP address.
DHCP IP address
DHCP is set as the network configuration by default for
Mini.
Static IP address
To enable a static IP address, change configuration method
to static and fill in the details required in Address, Mask and
Gateway. Particular attention should be paid to the Address
and Mask fields as incorrect information entered will result
in Mini not being visible on the network and a factory reset
will be required in order to recover the unit.
IP address recovery
In the event that the Mini is not visible on the network, the
network has changed, or the static IP address details have
been lost, reset the BirdDog back to its default settings by
following the factory reset procedure.
BirdDog name
You can name each Mini with a friendly name that makes
sense for each production (Camera 1, Camera 2, etc). This
name will appear on any NDI receiver when it looks for
video coming from Mini over the network. The name must
not include any special characters and can be any combina-
tion of ‘a-z, 1-0, and –‘.
Note: no uppercase characters are valid.
On NDI receiving devices, Mini will present as a source as
follows:
birddog-name [AUTO]
when the unit is set to automatic input.
birddog-name [HDMI]
when set to HDMI in manual mode.
Configuration method:
Address:
Mask:
Gateway:
DHCP timeout:
Static fallback address:
Static fallback mask:
BirdDog Name:
DASHBOARD NETWORK VIDEO DECODE SETTINGS LOGOUT
MINI
NETWORK SETTINGS AND DEVICE NAMING
Device naming
When Mini is first powered on it defaults to the naming
convention as described in the web configuration panel
section of this manual.
http://birddog-xxxxx.local/
It is possible to change the name along with the network
settings to better suit your environment.
In the web configuration panel, navigate to the network
section.
9

TALLY SUPPORT
Onboard Tally
Mini supports Tally within the NDI protocol. Tally is a
method of identifying which source is being used ‘on air’ at
any particular time.
Whenever a Mini source is being used on the program
output of an NDI compatible receiver that supports Tally
metadata, the screen will light up red on the front of the
Mini unit.
Program Tally
Mini also supports preview tally. The onboard screen will
light up green when the Mini source is placed in the preview
bus of the receiving switcher.
In the situation where the BirdDog source is loaded on both
the program and preview bus of the receiver the light will
be red.
Preview Tally
Tally border overlay on loop
Mini is capable of enabling Tally borders on the video loop
out. This feature is particularly useful for a camera setup
that has a video monitor attached.
The camera operator is able to quickly see if their camera is
being used in a current or preview shot in a live environ-
ment. This feature is enabled via the Video settings tab in
the web configuration panel.
Note the Tally borders now appear on the outside edges of
the external monitor and update in real time as you select
sources on your vision switcher.
Current video input:
Audiosetup:
Mute:
Tally:
Input selection:
AUTO/SDI/1080i/25.0/YUV
DASHBOARD NETWORK VIDEO DECODE SETTINGS LOGOUT
MINI
10

The screen will update the status of the update procedure,
once complete it will show the line Please power cycle your
device…
Remove all power from the Mini and wait for 5 seconds
before re-powering the device.
UPDATE - PROGRESS
Waiting for update service...
Connected to updater service...
Processing update package: birddog-bdmini01-0_le.tar.gz
Extracting...
Changing directory...
Checking if update script exists in packaging...
Running in-packaging updater script...
Updating package repositories...
Installing required packages...
Stopping BirdDog services...
Copying new BirdDog data...
Setting default systemd target...
Rebooting...
DASHBOARD NETWORK VIDEO DECODE SETTINGS LOGOUT
MINI
11
FACTORY RESET
Settings reset
If Mini is not found on the network and the web configura-
tion console is inaccessible it is possible to perform a
factory reset on the network settings. To reset Mini simply
press and hold the reset micro switch for 6 seconds at any
time after Mini has booted up (approx. 20 seconds after
power on).
Once the reset process begins, BirdDog Mini will flash the
LED screen between red and green repeatedly. Once the
screen stops flashing, the reset process has completed and
all network settings will return to default (device name and
DHCP network address).
The reset switch is located on the top of the unit here:
FIRMWARE UPDATE
Mini is updateable via the web interface. Please check the
below address regularly to ensure you have the latest
firmware available for your device.
Having the latest firmware ensures you have all the latest
features and performance updates to get the most out of
Mini: bird-dog.tv/firmware-updates
After downloading the latest firmware release, navigate to
the settings tab on the Mini web configuration console click
on Choose file… select the firmware update file and press
the update button.
SYSTEM UPDATE
Update file:
CONFIG. UPDATE
Update file:
DASHBOARD NETWORK VIDEO DECODE SETTINGS LOGOUT
MINI
Reset Switch

RECEIVING STUDIO NDI STREAMS
There are many applications that support receiving the NDI
signal that Mini produces. Each application will vary slightly
on how you choose your source.
NewTek Studio Monitor
NewTek provide a free Studio Monitor application that
allows you to monitor many NDI sources on a standard
Windows computer. Once Studio Monitor is launched on
your computer, simply right click anywhere in the interface
and select your Mini from the drop-down list.
Once connected to the Mini you will notice a configuration
cog appears on the bottom right-hand side of the video
display, this is a shortcut to access the Mini web configura-
tion panel.
NewTek TriCaster Series
NewTek TriCaster series devices allow several NDI sources
to be received simultaneously, the amount of simultaneous
connections varies by what model TriCaster you have.
Consult your TriCaster user manual to determine how many
connections are available on your device.
To select Mini as a source on your TriCaster, simply click on
the configuration cog below your desired source location,
this will bring up the Input Setting dialog, select from the
drop-down list your Mini source.
Once connected to the Mini you will notice a configuration
cog appears next to the source drop down window, this is a
shortcut to access the Mini web configuration panel.
12

bird-dog.tv
[email protected]
4