Epiphan Av.io sdi User manual

Epiphan AV.io SDI™

User Guide

September 26,2016

Release 3.1.0

UG109-04

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Thank you for choosing Epiphan Video!

At Epiphan Video,product function and quality are our top priority. Wemakeevery effort to makesurethat

our productsexceed your expectations.

Product feedback

Your feedback isimportant! Weregularly contact our customersto ensureour productsmeet your

performanceand reliability requirements. Westrive to continually enhanceour productsto accommodate

your needs. Pleaselet usknow how you think wecan improve our productsby emailingyour suggestionsto

info@epiphan.com.

Specifications

Go to theUSB Video Grabberspageof theEpiphan Video websiteto get the most recent product

specificationsand additional information about AV.io SDI.

Warranty

All Epiphan Video productsare provided with a100%return to depot warranty for oneyear from thedateof

purchase.

Technical support

Epiphan’sproductsare backed by our professional support team. If you are having issueswith your product,

pleasegather detailsabout your system and contact our team by:

lE-mailingsupport@epiphan.com

lLivechat viathe link on our support site

lPhone toll freeat 1-877-599-6581 or call +1 613-599-6581

Besure to include asmuch information about your problem aspossible,including:

lProblem description

lDetailsof the video or audio source(type,resolution,refresh rate,etc.)

lProduct serial number

lYour operating system and version number

Firmware 3.1.0 release notes

Firmware 3.1.0 updatesbringsall Epiphan Video capturecardsin line with the latest behind-the-scenes

efficiency,fixesto limitationsand known issuesand new changesto theAV.io ConfigTool. With thislatest

version of the firmware,each grabber will provide the sameeffortless,high-quality video capture experience.

Overview

AV.io SDI istheeasiest SDI capturecard you’ll ever use. It doesn’t need any special driversinstalled on your

computer – plugit in to your USB port and start usingit right away. It’sassimpleasusingawebcam!

Windows,Macand Linux operatingsystemsautomatically detect AV.io SDI,ensuringcompatibility with your

favoritesoftware,including Skype,Wirecast and QuickTime.

What'snew

Thissection providesdetail on themain featuresincluded in firmwarerelease3.1.0.

Use input signal resolution

Previousversionsof AV.io Configsoftware haveallowed for you to passthrough theresolution of your input

sourceastheresolution of theoutput source,but 3.1.0 hassomeupdateson how thisworks. See

Configuration optionsfor moredetails.

Custom resolution creation

You can now createalist of up to threecustom resolutionsthat can beused asoutput formats. You can add

thesein theUser modestab of theAV.io Configsoftware.

Significant changes to limitations,known issues and

troubleshooting

Many changeshavebeen madesincethelast firmwarereleasefor AV.io SDI. There havebeen lotsof

improvementsto theefficiency and functionality. SeeLimitationsand known issuesand Troubleshooting for

moredetails.

About AV.io SDI

To useAV.io SDI,there'sno softwareto install; simply connect thecablesand go. It workson Windows,Mac

and Linux and integratesseamlessly with your favorite third-party applicationssuch asSkype,Adobe FMLE,

Wirecast,VLCmediaplayer and Quicktime.

Registering your AV.io SDI

Why should I register my AV.io SDI?

It will allow you to activateyour product warranty,give you notificationsof firmware and softwareupdates

and get you our freepersonalized customer support.

How to register

1. Go to epiphan.com/register

2. Providethe required information. Your six digit serial number isfound on your device. Avalid e-mail

addressisrequired for product registration.

viii

Table of contents

Thank you for choosing Epiphan Video! iv

Firmware 3.1.0 release notes v

What'snew v

Useinput signal resolution v

Custom resolution creation v

Significant changesto limitations,known issuesand troubleshooting v

About AV.io SDI vi

Registering your AV.io SDI vii

Table of contents viii

Quickstart 1

Getting started 2

What'sin thebox? 2

System requirements 4

Technical specifications 4

Hardware 6

Hardware diagrams 6

Top cap view: 6

Bottom cap view: 6

Indicator LED details 7

Capture 8

How AV.io SDI works 9

Set up your AV.io SDI for capture 10

Resolutions,captureratesand aspect ratios 11

Automaticimagescaling & audio resampling 12

Third-party applications 12

Configuration options 13

Input signal resolution (disabled by default) 13

Preserveaspect ratio (enabled by default) 14

Audio selector for multichannel inputs(disabled by default) 14

User modes 15

Install theAV.io Config tool 18

Windows 18

Mac 19

Linux 20

Configuresettingsusing AV.io Configtool 22

Identifyingthe input resolution on your AV.io SDI 24

Updatefirmware usingthe AV.io Configtool 25

Advanced settingsfor VGAcapture 28

Limitations and known issues 35

Affectingall operating systems 35

AffectingWindows 35

Troubleshooting 36

Affectingall operating systems 36

AffectingWindows 36

AffectingMac 37

AffectingUbuntu 37

AffectingChromebook 37

Software and documentation license 39

AV.io SDI User Guide Quickstart

Quickstart

Settingup your AV.io SDI deviceto capture live video and audio content couldn’t beeasier!

Beforeyou begin theconnection process,you will require:

lA3G-SDI,HD-SDI or SD-SDI video source(with or without audio)

lYour AV.io SDI device

lAcapturedesktop computer,laptop or notebook

lAUSB 3.0 cable(included with purchase)to connect to your AV.io SDI to your capturecomputer

lAn SDI cable (included with purchase)to connect your video sourceto your AV.io SDI

Once you havethese thingsready to go,you can now begin the simpleprocessof hookingup your AV.io SDI

so you can start capturing!

To connect your AV.io SDI for capture:

1. Connect your AV.io SDI deviceto your video source

2. Connect your AV.io SDI deviceto your computer

3. Open your favoritethird-party application,select AV.io SDI from thelist of availablecamerasand start

capturing!

And that’sit! No driversto install and no extensiveset-up! Just connect thecablesand you’reready to go!

AV.io SDI User Guide Gettingstarted

Getting started

Welcome and thank you for buyingEpiphan Video’sAV.io SDI!

Thisguide containsall the information necessary to successfully useAV.io SDI to quickly and easily capture

livevideo content without any configuration –simply connect thecablesand you’re ready to go!

Thisguide startsoff by jumpingright into it by showingyou how to start capturingvideo,then we’ll takeyou

through how AV.io SDI works,followed with some technical referencematerial,and we’ll concludewith a

walkthrough of some optional video capture configuration.

Let’sget started!

What'sin the box?

Your AV.io SDI product containseverythingyou need to easily capture livevideo content with minimal setup.

Your purchase includesthefollowing:

Table1 Description of included purchasecontents(for identification only, color and appearance of individual

cables/adaptersmay vary).

AV.io SDI video grabber Your video capturedevice!

SDI cable(0.5 m) Connectsan SDI source to your

AV.io SDI.

AV.io SDI User Guide What'sin thebox?

USB 3.0 cable (1 m / 3

ft)

TheUSB 3.0 cable connectsyour

AV.io SDI video grabber with

your computer’sUSB 3.0 or 2.0

port.

AV.io SDI User Guide System requirements

System requirements

System requirementsare thebarebonestechnical essentialsyour computer needsto work with AV.io SDI.

System requirementsto useAV.io SDI include:

Video source A3G-SDI,HD-SDI or SD-SDI video source.

Video capture workstation

Any computer (laptop/desktop/other format)with:

lacompatibleUSB 3.0 host controller for

SuperSpeed operation; or,

laUSB 2.0 host controller (will limit maximum frame

rateand resolution support)

Video capture workstation

operating system

Windows7,Windows8.1,Windows10

MacOSX10.10 and up

Linux distribution with kernel 3.5.0 or higher

Processor frequency Minimum recommended value: 2.4 GHz

RAM Minimum recommended value: 4 GB

Technical specifications

Technical specificationsfor AV.io SDI are included in the tablebelow.

Connectors BNCstyleSDI connector

USB standard B type

Input SDI (3G-SDI,HD-SDI,SD-SDI)with BNC-styleconnector

Audio (SDI) Input 16-bit and 24-bit PCM encoded audio at 48 kHz

Audio (UAC)

output 16-bit 48 kHzstereo audio

Capture latency Near-zero latency,although certain third-party applicationsmay

contribute delay

HDCP Compliance High-bandwidth digital content protection (HDCP)protected content

cannot be captured

AV.io SDI User Guide Technical specifications

LED LED indicatesthestatusof AV.io SDI

OSsupport

(32-bit and 64-

bit)

Windows7,Windows8.1,Windows10

MacOSX10.10 and up

Linux distribution with kernel 3.5.0 or higher

USB support USB 3.0 and 2.0

Input Resolution Standard and non-standard resolution from 640x360 up to 1920×1080

Supported output

resolutions

(at 15, 23.97, 24,

25, 29.97, 30, 50,

59.94 or 60 fps)

640×360 640×480

960×540 1280×720

1920×1080

Dimensions 3.54″× 2.36″× 0.91″(90 mm × 60 mm × 23 mm)

AV.io SDI User Guide Hardware

Hardware

Thissection describesthe physical featuresof your AV.io SDI,including diagramsand hardwarefeature

descriptions.

Topicscovered include:

lHardware diagrams; and,

lIndicator LED details

Hardware diagrams

Your AV.io SDI deviceincludesan input,an output and an indicator light.

Input/output portsand indicator lightsare identified and explained in the top and bottom cap view AV.io SDI

imagesbelow. Indicator light detailsareexplained in theproceedingsection.

Top cap view:

Bottom cap view:

AV.io SDI User Guide Indicator LED details

Indicator LED details

Thecolor and action of theindicator LED dependson whether you areconnected by USB 3.0 or USB 2.0. For

maximum performance,alwaysusea USB 3.0 port and the included USB 3.0 cable. Note that framecapture

rate will be reduced when connected viaUSB 2.0.

From theoperating system'sUVCdrivers,theapplication will receive the AV.io SDI supported color space,

resolution and framerates. If you’renot sureif your controller isUSB 3.0 or USB 2.0,plugAV.io SDI into the

capturecomputer and look at theindicator LED. After initialboot up (red LED),blueisused for USB 3.0 and

green isused for USB 2.0:

Blue LED meansUSB 3.0 Green LED meansUSB 2.0

Connection type/LED color USB 3.0 connection USB 2.0 connection

Solid red Firmware update in progress

AV.io SDI initializing

Firmware update in progress

AV.io SDI initializing

Solid green N/A USB 2.0 connection active

Blinkinggreen N/A Video and/or audio

transferringsuccessfully

Solid blue USB 3.0 connection active N/A

Blinkingblue Video and/or audio

transferringsuccessfully N/A

AV.io SDI User Guide Capture

Capture

Settingup your AV.io SDI deviceto capture live video content couldn’t beeasier!

Beforeyou begin theconnection process,you will require:

lA3G-SDI,HD-SDI or SD-SDI video source

lYour AV.io SDI device

lAcapturecomputer,laptop or notebook

lAUSB 3.0 cable(included with purchase)to connect to your AV.io SDI to your capturecomputer

lAn SDI cable(included with purchase)to connect your video sourceto your AV.io SDI

Once you havethese thingsready to go,you can now begin the simpleprocessof hookingup your AV.io SDI

so you can start capturing!

AV.io SDI User Guide How AV.io SDI works

How AV.io SDI works

Once you’reready to start capturing,you’ll need either abuilt-in or third-party application to capture video

and audio content with AV.io SDI.

Theapplication communicateswith AV.io SDI and negotiatesaframe rate (frequency at which framesin a

video sequenceare displayed) and frame resolution (sizeof asinglevideo framein pixels). Higher framerate

meanssmoother video capturewhileresolution determinestheaspect ratio of thevideo output aswellasits

resolution and degreeof definition.

With thehelp of AV.io SDI,thecontent from your video sourceisautomatically configured and captured on

your computer through your selected application. If theapplication requestsa framesize that issmaller or

larger than your video source,AV.io SDI automatically scalesthevideo for you. For consistent and widely

compatibleoutput,audio isautomatically resampled to 16-bit 48 kHzstereo audio.

No configuration required!

AV.io SDI User Guide Set up your AV.io SDI for capture

Set up your AV.io SDI for capture

Connectingyour AV.io SDI to your capturecomputer issimpleand isaccomplished in threeeasy steps.

To connect your AV.io SDI for capture:

1. Connect your AV.io SDI deviceto your video source

2. Connect your AV.io SDI deviceto your desktop computer,laptop or notebook

3. Open your favoritethird-party application,select AV.io SDI from thelist of availableinput sourcesand

start capturing!

And that’sit! No driversto install and no extensiveset-up! Just connect thecablesand you’reready to go!

AV.io SDI User Guide Resolutions,captureratesand aspect ratios

Resolutions,capture rates and aspect ratios

The resolution (also known asframe size or display mode)of avideo signal,digital image,TVscreen,

computer monitor or other display deviceisacount of thenumber of pixelsdisplayed horizontally and

vertically. For exampletheresolution 1920×1080 (which is1080p) createsan imagethat is1920 pixelswide

and 1080 pixelstall.

The aspect ratio of an imagedescribestheproportional relationship between itspixel width and height. The

resolution 1920×1080 (1080p)isquiteabit wider than it istall. The ratio of itswidth to height is16 to 9,

represented asan aspect ratio 16:9.

AV.io SDI outputsresolutionsin commonly supported aspectsratios. Thetable below isacolor-coded legend

for interpretingthetableof product resolutionsbelow it:

Aspect

Ratio Common Use

4:3 Standard TV(NTSC/PAL)display and non-widescreen computer displays,SD-SDI

resolution

16:9 Widescreen (HD)TVdisplays(1080p,1080i,720p etc)

AV.io SDI generatesalist of thefollowingpossibleresolutionsfor your captureapplication to select for output

display:

640×360 960×540 1920×1080

640×480 1280×720

Captured video content isoutput to your applicationat 15, 30 or 60 frames per second (your application

choosesoneof these framerates)when captured over USB 3.0.

AV.io SDI User Guide Automaticimagescaling & audio resampling

Automaticimage scaling & audio resampling

If your sourcecontent islarger or smaller than theframesizechosen by theapplication,AV.io SDI

automatically scales your source to match thedesired frame size! No user configuration required!

AV.io SDI also automatically performsaudio resampling,meaning that no matter thebit depth or frequency

of audio through an SDI audio source,AV.io SDI automatically resamplesyour audio so that your application

getsa consistent audio samplerateand bit depth,even if you changethevideo source!

Third-party applications

AV.io SDI usespre-installed driverson your OS(called UVC driversand UACdrivers)to communicatewith

third-party applicationsand capture content. Dueto AV.io SDI'suseof UVC/UACtechnology,thereisno need

for driver installation. Just likeawebcam,your AV.io SDI deviceisimmediately recognized asacamera device

(likeaweb cam)and can beused to capturecontent viaany UVC-compatiblethird-party application.

Third-party applicationsthat work with AV.io SDI include,but arenot limited to thefollowinglist. Try your

favoritecaptureapplication!

Zero-install applications (included with your OS)

Skype

(with Windows8.1 and Windows10) Windows Camera app

(with Windows8.1 and Windows10) QuickTime

(with MacOSX)

Popular applications available for download

Skype Wirecast QuickTime

Adobe FMLE VLCmedia player

Table of contents

epiphan AV.io SDI User manual