Kramer KDS-EN3 User manual

KRAMER ELECTRONICS LTD.
USER MANUAL
MODELS:
KDS-EN3
HD Video Encoder/Streamer
KDS-DEC3
HD Video Decoder
P/N: 2900-300375 Rev 3

KDS-EN3, KDS-DEC3 – Contents
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Contents
1Introduction 1
2Getting Started 2
2.1 Achieving the Best Performance 2
2.2 Safety Instructions 3
2.3 Recycling Kramer Products 3
3Overview 4
3.1 Defining the KDS-EN3 5
3.2 Defining the KDS-DEC3 6
4How It Works 7
4.1 Setting Up Your KDS-EN3 Environment 8
4.2 Managing Your Passwords 8
5Connecting the Product 10
5.1 Connecting the KDS-EN3 10
5.2 Connecting the KDS-DEC3 11
5.3 Daisy Chaining Your Decoder Units 12
5.4 Resetting Your Unit 13
6Validating Your KDS-EN3 Setup 14
6.1 Description of LEDs 14
6.2 Validating Network Discovery 15
6.3 Multiple Subnet Support 15
6.4 Validating Video and Audio Quality 16
6.5 Using Pass Through or Confidence Preview 16
7Installing Kramer KDS-EN3 Manager 18
8Kramer KDS-EN3 Manager Software 19
9Technical Specifications 20
Figures
Figure 1: KDS-EN3 HD Video Encoder/Streamer 5
Figure 2: KDS-DEC3 HD Video Decoder 6
Figure 3: Connecting the KDS-EN3, KDS-DEC3 HD Video Encoder/Decoder 11
Figure 4: Daisy-Chaining KDS-DEC3 Decoders 12

KDS-EN3, KDS-DEC3 - Introduction
1
1 Introduction
Welcome to Kramer Electronics! Since 1981, Kramer Electronics has been
providing a world of unique, creative, and affordable solutions to the vast range of
problems that confront video, audio, presentation, and broadcasting professionals
on a daily basis. In recent years, we have redesigned and upgraded most of our
line, making the best even better!
Our 1,000-plus different models now appear in 14 groups that are clearly defined
by function: GROUP 1: Distribution Amplifiers; GROUP 2: Switchers and Routers;
GROUP 3: Control Systems; GROUP 4: Format/Standards Converters; GROUP 5:
Range Extenders and Repeaters; GROUP 6: Specialty AV Products; GROUP 7:
Scan Converters and Scalers; GROUP 8: Cables and Connectors; GROUP 9:
Room Connectivity; GROUP 10: Accessories and Rack Adapters; GROUP 11:
Sierra Video Products; GROUP 12: Digital Signage; GROUP 13: Audio; and
GROUP 14: Collaboration.
Congratulations on purchasing your Kramer KDS-EN3, KDS-DEC3 HD Video
Encoder/Decoder, which is ideal for the following typical applications:
AV distribution systems with one or more sources and many displays in
schools, universities and public venues
Long-distance transmission of signals using existing wires and infrastructure
in corporate offices, government applications
Advanced applications where functions such as recording, archiving, scaling
and more are required

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KDS-EN3, KDS-DEC3 - Getting Started
2 Getting Started
We recommend that you:
Unpack the equipment carefully and save the original box and packaging
materials for possible future shipment
Review the contents of this user manual
Go to http://www.kramerav.com/downloads/ to check for up-to-date user
manuals, application programs, and to check if firmware upgrades are
available (where appropriate).
2.1 Achieving the Best Performance
To achieve the best performance:
Use only good quality connection cables (we recommend Kramer high-
performance, high-resolution cables) to avoid interference, deterioration in
signal quality due to poor matching, and elevated noise levels (often
associated with low quality cables)
Do not secure the cables in tight bundles or roll the slack into tight coils
Avoid interference from neighboring electrical appliances that may adversely
influence signal quality
Position your Kramer KDS-EN3, KDS-DEC3 away from moisture, excessive
sunlight and dust
This equipment is to be used only inside a building. It may only be
connected to other equipment that is installed inside a building.
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KDS-EN3, KDS-DEC3 - Getting Started
3
2.2 Safety Instructions
Caution:
There are no operator serviceable parts inside the unit
Warning:
Use only the Kramer Electronics power supply that is
provided with the unit
Warning:
Disconnect the power and unplug the unit from the wall
before installing
2.3 Recycling Kramer Products
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive 2002/96/EC
aims to reduce the amount of WEEE sent for disposal to landfill or incineration by
requiring it to be collected and recycled. To comply with the WEEE Directive,
Kramer Electronics has made arrangements with the European Advanced
Recycling Network (EARN) and will cover any costs of treatment, recycling and
recovery of waste Kramer Electronics branded equipment on arrival at the EARN
facility. For details of Kramer’s recycling arrangements in your particular country
go to our recycling pages at http://www.kramerelectronics.com/support/recycling/.
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KDS-EN3, KDS-DEC3 - Overview
3 Overview
Kramer DigiTOOL® KDS-EN3 Encoder and KDS-DEC3 Decoder units work in
conjunction to provide unicast (one-to-one) or multicast (one-to-many) streaming
over an IP network. Using Kramer KDS-EN3 Manager software, you can manage
your entire KDS-EN3 network from a single system.
More specifically the units feature:
MPEG-4 AVC support using H.264 and AAC codecs
Downscale streams locally before distribution over the network to lower
bandwidth consumption
Scaling and cropping features that enable flexible display of source content
on the decoder output
Open encoding to enable software decoding through VLC®player software
Standard 10/100/1000Mb Ethernet network operation
A decoder-integrated network switch that allows for KDS-DEC3 daisy
chaining and network extension
Kramer KDS-EN3 Manager software that allows for multiple instances and
remote management of the KDS-EN3 network
HDMI®/DVI video support
HDMI or analog audio support
Unicast and multicast streaming support through RTSP (Real Time
Streaming Protocol)
Manual and scheduled recording to network storage option on encoders
Fail safe video playback or image display when a decoder loses its
connection to an encoder
KDS-EN3 Manager auto-detection and discovery of KDS-EN3/KDS-DEC3
units on a subnet (DHCP server required)
RS-232 virtualization from encoder to decoder

KDS-EN3, KDS-DEC3 - Overview
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3.1 Defining the KDS-EN3
Figure 1 defines the KDS-EN3.
Figure 1: KDS-EN3 HD Video Encoder/Streamer
#
Feature
Function
1
ON LED
Lights when power is connected to the unit
2
RESET Button
Press and hold for less than 2 secs to reboot the
unit and keep all current settings
Press and hold for more than 5 secs to reboot the
unit and restore all factory settings
3
5V DC Connector
Connects to the 5V DC power supply
4
LAN 1 RJ-45 Connector
Connects to a network
5
PC OUT (LOCAL) 15-pin HD
Connector
Connects to an analog display
6
HDMI OUT (LOCAL) Connector
Connects to a digital monitor
7
RS-232 9-pin D-sub Connector
Connects to control an RS-232 device. A standard
(non-null modem) cable is required
8
HDMI IN Connector
Connects to an HDMI source
9
USB –B Connector
Not currently supported
10
AUDIO OUT 3.5mm Mini Jack
Connector
Connects to an unbalanced stereo audio acceptor
11
AUDIO IN 3.5mm Mini Jack
Connector
Connects to an unbalanced stereo audio source

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KDS-EN3, KDS-DEC3 - Overview
3.2 Defining the KDS-DEC3
Figure 2 defines the KDS-EN3.
Figure 2: KDS-DEC3 HD Video Decoder
#
Feature
Function
1
RS-232 9-pin D-sub Connector
Connects to control an RS-232 device. A null-
modem cable (where transmit and receive lines
are cross linked) is required
2
USB Connectors (2)
Not currently supported
3
SD Card Slot
Not currently supported
4
RESET Button
Press and hold for less than 2 secs to reboot the
unit and keep all current settings
Press and hold for more than 5 secs to reboot the
unit and restore all factory settings
5
ON LED
Lights when power is connected to the unit
6
5V DC Connector
Connects to the 5V DC power supply
7
LAN 2 RJ-45 Connector
Connects to daisy-chain additional decoders
8
LAN 1 RJ-45 Connector
Connects to a network
9
HDMI Connector
Connects to a digital display
10
AUDIO OUT 3.5mm Mini Jack
Connector
Connects to an unbalanced stereo audio acceptor

KDS-EN3, KDS-DEC3 - How It Works
7
4 How It Works
Kramer KDS-EN3 Encoder and KDS-DEC3 Decoder units work in conjunction to
provide unicast (one-to-one) or multicast (one-to-many) streaming over an IP
network. Using Kramer KDS-EN3 Manager software, you can manage your entire
KDS-EN3 network from a single system. A Kramer KDS-EN3 environment is
made up of four elements connected to a network:
Source –A video source connected to an encoder, for example, a media
player, computer system, or camera
KDS-EN3 Encoder –An encoder is needed for each source in your
KDS-EN3 environment. An encoder can transmit to a single decoder or to
multiple decoders
KDS-DEC3 Decoder –A decoder is needed for each output in your
environment. A computer system using VideoLAN®VLC media player as a
video player can also be used to decode the signal from an encoder
Controller system –A system connected to the network and running Kramer
KDS-EN3 Manager. A controller system can also be a source

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KDS-EN3, KDS-DEC3 - How It Works
4.1 Setting Up Your KDS-EN3 Environment
Before connecting your units, we recommend you prepare:
A DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server
A DNS (Domain Name System) server
A controller system
At least one output device (monitor or HDTV) to preview your video sources
All devices (KDS-EN3 units and controller system) on the same subnet
At least one video source
Adding an encoder or a decoder unit to your environment
To avoid potential problems, before you add a decoder or an encoder unit to your
KDS-EN3 environment, perform a factory reset of your unit to reset the IP
address, and any other settings that may prevent you from using the unit in your
environment. For more information on resetting your unit, see Section 5.4.
4.2 Managing Your Passwords
Your KDS-EN3 Manager software, KDS-EN3 Encoder unit, and KDS-DEC3
Decoder units use passwords for secure communication. KDS-EN3 Manager uses
two types of passwords: the environment password and the unit password.
4.2.1 Environment Password
When you start KDS-EN3 Manager for the first time, you need to provide your
environment password.
A KDS-EN3 environment has a single password that allows KDS-EN3 Manager to
access the units in that environment. An environment password is case sensitive. It
can be between 6 and 8 alphanumeric characters long.
In a new environment, you can provide any environment password. Any
detected unit with no password will have its password updated to use the
new environment password

KDS-EN3, KDS-DEC3 - How It Works
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In an established environment, use the password already entered for that
environment
4.2.2 Unit Password
Each unit has a password. To access a unit, the unit password must match the
environment password. When a new unit is added to the environment, it has no
password. You need to manually update that unit password.
If a unit has no password, or if a unit password doesn’t match the environment
password, the unit is listed as Access denied. You can see the properties of a unit
listed as Access denied, but you cannot change them.
4.2.3 Updating Your Unit Password
If a unit is listed as Access denied, you must update its password to match the
environment password.
To update a unit password,
1. Select the unit tile and click the Change password icon of the tile.
2. If a unit does not have a password (for example, new units or units reset to
factory default), you must enable Update units that have no password.
3. If a unit has a password, you need to enable Update units that have an
existing password and provide the current unit password for the update to
take effect.
4. After the unit password is updated, the unit is no longer listed as Access
denied.

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KDS-EN3, KDS-DEC3 - Connecting the Product
5 Connecting the Product
Always switch off the power to each device before connecting it to your
KDS-EN3, KDS-DEC3. After connecting your KDS-EN3, KDS-DEC3,
connect its power and then switch on the power to each device.
5.1 Connecting the KDS-EN3
To connect the KDS-EN3 as illustrated in the example in Figure 3 you must:
1. Connect the LAN 1 RJ-45 connector to a network cable.
2. Connect an HDMI source (for example, a KDS-MP1) to the HDMI IN
connector.
The following connections are optional:
3. Connect the PC (Out Local) 15-pin HD connector to a VGA acceptor (for
example, a display).
4. Connect the HDMI (Out Local) connector to an HDMI acceptor (for example,
a display).
5. Connect the RS-232 9-pin D-sub connector to a computer serial controller
(for example, a PC) using a standard straight-through cable.
6. Connect an audio acceptor (for example, an amplifier) to the AUDIO OUT
3.5mm mini jack connector.
7. Connect an unbalanced stereo audio source (for example, a DVD) to the
AUDIO IN 3.5mm mini jack connector.
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KDS-EN3, KDS-DEC3 - Connecting the Product
11
5.2 Connecting the KDS-DEC3
To connect the KDS-DEC3 as illustrated in the example in Figure 3:
1. Connect a network cable to the LAN 1 RJ-45 connector.
2. Connect the HDMI connector to an HDMI acceptor (for example, a display).
3. Optionally, connect the RS-232 9-pin D-sub connector to a controlled
RS-232 device (for example, a display) using a null-modem, cross-linked
cable.
Figure 3: Connecting the KDS-EN3, KDS-DEC3 HD Video Encoder/Decoder

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KDS-EN3, KDS-DEC3 - Connecting the Product
5.3 Daisy Chaining Your Decoder Units
You can daisy chain the network connections for your decoder units by connecting
one decoder to another.
KDS-DEC3 Decoder
KDS-DEC3 Decoder
KDS-DEC3 Decoder
Network
Figure 4: Daisy-Chaining KDS-DEC3 Decoders
When daisy chaining decoders, consider the following:
Some DHCP servers may encounter problems when assigning an IP
address to a new decoder daisy chained to an existing decoder in your
KDS-EN3 environment. To avoid potential problems, we recommend you
first connect a new decoder directly to the network. You can daisy chain the
new decoder to a decoder in your KDS-EN3 environment after the decoder
is assigned an IP address through DHCP.
When daisy chaining network connections, the maximum number of
KDS-DEC3 decoders connected together is ten (10). Depending on your
hardware and network settings, the number of decoders you can daisy chain
on the same network jack may be lower.

KDS-EN3, KDS-DEC3 - Connecting the Product
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5.4 Resetting Your Unit
To reset a decoder or encoder unit, press and hold the Reset button on your unit
with the tip of a paper clip:
Reboot –Holding for less than 2 seconds reboots your unit and keeps your
settings. This keeps all your unit settings, including the IP address and
password.
Factory reset –Holding for more than 5 seconds (until the LED turns amber)
reboots your unit and restores the factory settings. This resets all unit
settings, including the IP address and password.

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KDS-EN3, KDS-DEC3 - Validating Your KDS-EN3 Setup
6 Validating Your KDS-EN3 Setup
After connecting your KDS-EN3/KDS-DEC3 units, we recommend you validate
your connection setup, network discovery, and the quality of your audio and video
sources before you continue.
6.1 Description of LEDs
The network connector LEDs and power LED on your KDS-EN3 units provide
information that can help you troubleshoot your Kramer product.
Network Connector
The network connectors on your Kramer Encoder and Decoder unit use indicator
lights (LEDs) to provide information on the network activity and presence. The
following describes the different network connector LEDs.
LED color
Network activity
Network presence
No LED (black)
No data transfer in progress or no
network detected
No communication
established
Green (flashing)
Data transfer in progress
—
Orange
—
Network communication
established
Encoder/Decoder
The power LED (ON) on your Kramer Encoder or Decoder unit provides
information on the status of your unit. The following describes the power LED on
your KDS-EN3/KDS-DEC3 unit.
LED color
Encoder
Decoder
No LED (black)
Unit isn’t powered
Unit isn’t powered
Green/Red (flashing)
Unit is initializing
Unit is initializing
Green
Unit is ready
Unit is ready
Green (flashing)
Encoding and streaming
Decoding network stream
Red (flashing)
No valid audio/video input signal
detected
Unit isn’t in use
Red
Fatal error detected
Fatal error detected
Amber
Unit reset to factory default.
Unit requires maintenance
Unit reset to factory default.
Unit requires maintenance
Amber (flashing)
Configuring or updating
firmware
Configuring or updating
firmware

KDS-EN3, KDS-DEC3 - Validating Your KDS-EN3 Setup
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6.2 Validating Network Discovery
KDS-EN3 units are initially assigned their IP addresses through DHCP (Dynamic
Host Control Protocol). After connecting your devices, we recommend verifying
that all your devices are discovered by the network.
Windows 8/7 –To make sure all your units are discovered by the network:
Windows 8 –From the Start screen, go to All Apps > Windows System > File
Explorer > Network. Under Other Devices, make sure all the connected units
are listed
Windows 7 –Click Start > Accessories > Windows Explorer > Network.
Under Other Devices, make sure all the KDS-EN3 units connected are listed
If prompted to enable network discovery and file sharing on your network when
validating network discovery, enable these two features by clicking on the prompt
at the top of your Windows Explorer window. These two features must be enabled
for KDS-EN3 Manager to detect KDS-EN3/KDS-DEC3 units on your subnet.
After validating your connection setup, install Kramer KDS-EN3 Manager software
(see Section 8).
6.3 Multiple Subnet Support
Controller systems and computers can detect KDS-EN3/KDS-DEC3 units in the
same subnet through the UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) protocol. If you have
units in different subnets of your network, you need to validate network discovery
in each subnet separately. For more information on using KDS-EN3 units in
different subnets in the same KDS-EN3 environment, see “Using multiple subnets”
in Kramer KDS-EN3 Manager help.

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KDS-EN3, KDS-DEC3 - Validating Your KDS-EN3 Setup
6.4 Validating Video and Audio Quality
Your decoder unit can only output video and audio as good as the quality received
by your encoder.
To validate the video and audio quality of your source and content:
Connect the source directly to the monitor and audio output device that is
used by your decoder
Use a different source to preview your content
Use KDS-EN3 Manager to change the local output method on your encoder
to Use pass through
To validate the source capture by your encoder and your local output settings:
Use KDS-EN3 Manager to change the local output method on your encoder
to Use confidence preview
6.5 Using Pass Through or Confidence Preview
For your encoder, KDS-EN3 Manager has two local output options:
Pass through –When using pass through, your encoder outputs the video
and audio signals of your source directly to your monitor and audio output
device. While this is enabled, the local output settings of your encoder are
disabled.
Because the signal is direct from the source to the output devices:
There is no video output on the VGA connector (analog video output
connector) since there is no corresponding analog input on the
encoder
If the HDMI output device connected to your encoder does not support
audio output, your HDMI source may disable its audio output. Since no
audio is received at input, there is no audio for the encoder and all
decoders connected to this encoder
Confidence preview –When using confidence preview, your encoder uses
the KDS-EN3 Manager video and audio local output and capture settings for
your encoder to output to your video and audio output devices. The local
output settings let you:

KDS-EN3, KDS-DEC3 - Validating Your KDS-EN3 Setup
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Scale the video output to fit the resolution of your video output device
Correct image appearance
Adjust audio levels
The local output of an encoder is not the result of decoding its own encoded video
and audio stream.