VBrick Systems EtherneTV-STB User manual

STB v3.7.1 Quick Start Guide
VBrick Systems, Inc.
12 Beaumont Road August 10, 2005
Wallingford, Connecticut 06492 4410-0134-0002
EtherneTV-STB
Set-Top Box

Copyright
© 2005 VBrick Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.
12 Beaumont Road
Wallingford, Connecticut 06492 USA
www.VBrick.com
This publication contains confidential, proprietary, and trade secret information. No part of this document may be
copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated, or reduced to any machine-readable or electronic format without
prior written permission from VBrick. Information in this document is subject to change without notice and
VBrick Systems assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccuracies.VBrick, VBrick Systems, the
VBrick logo, StreamPlayer, StreamPlayer II, and StreamPlayer Plus are trademarks or registered trademarks in the
United States and other countries. All other products or services mentioned in this document are identified by the
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should be made directly to those companies. This document may also have links to third-party web pages that are
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About VBrick Systems
Founded in 1997, VBrick Systems, an ISO 9001 certified vendor, is a privately held company that has enjoyed rapid
growth by helping our customers successfully introduce mission critical video applications across their enterprise
networks. Since our founding, VBrick has been setting the standard for quality, performance and innovation in the
delivery of live and stored video over IP networks—LANs, WANs and the Internet. With over 20,000 video
appliances installed across over 1,000 IP networks world-wide, VBrick is the recognized leader in reliable, high-
performance, easy-to-use networked video solutions.

STB v3.7.1 Quick Start Guide 1
STB Quick Start
This guide explains how to get your EtherneTV Set-Top Box up and running in a few easy
steps:
1. Choose a Start Mode
2. Connect the Set-Top Box
3. Set the IP Address
4. Configure the Start Mode
1. Choose a Start Mode
The first step is to choose a Start mode from among the following options. This determines
how the Set-Top Box will behave when started. A network administrator will generally
determine the Start mode based on your network configuration. In Step 4, you will actually
configure the Start mode.
2. Connect the Set-Top Box
The VBrick EtherneTV Set-Top Box is shipped with Audio/Video, S-Video, and power
cables and a handheld IR remote control unit. An optional wireless keyboard is also available.
TTo connect the Set-Top Box:
1. Using the provided cables, attach the set-top box video out to a monitor using the left
(yellow) connector or the S-Video connector.
2. Using the provided cables, connect the set-top box audio out (left and right) to a monitor
(left and right) monitor.
3. Using customer provided cables, connect the set-top box to the network, using the left
(LAN1) Ethernet port as viewed from the back of the unit.
MCS Mode When installed with a Media Control Server (MCS), the features and
options of the VBrick EtherneTV Set-Top Box are controlled through
MCS. See the EtherneTV MCS Admin Guide for more information.
Local Mode The VBrick EtherneTV Set-Top Box contains software that enables it
to work as a standalone device. When used in standalone applications,
the set-top box features and options are similar to but are controlled
independent from an EtherneTV Media Control Server.
Local-Fullscreen
Mode
The VBrick EtherneTV Set-Top Box also can operate in a fullscreen
mode. This allows the user to tune in one channel and display the
received stream on the entire screen of the attached monitor.

2EtherneTV Media Distribution System
4. The set-top box comes configured to assign an IP address using DHCP. To find the IP
address it is necessary to attach a keyboard using the PS/2 port connection or use the
VBrick software application VBDirectory.
5. Connect the power cord, and if desired, connect a VGA monitor.
Figure 1. Front Panel – Left to Right
Figure 2. Rear Panel – Left to Right
Infrared Sensor Above LEDs. Used for IR remote control and wireless keyboard.
Waiting Blinks red during initial start-up.
Transfer Blinks white when accessing flash memory.
Power Steady green when power is applied.
On/Off On/Off push button.
Power Plug Connects to power cord.
VGA Port Used to view video on a VGA monitor.
Serial Port Used for Serial Port Passthrough or to open a Command Prompt.
PCI Card Slot Not Used.
S-Video Connect to standard TV.
Video Composite video out.
Audio Left/Right Audio out left and right.
USB Ports (2) Connect USB mouse and/or keyboard.
SPDIF Digital audio.
LAN1 Connect to local area network.
LAN2 Not used.
PS/2 Connect PS/2 keyboard or mouse.

STB Quick Start
STB v3.7.1 Quick Start Guide 3
3. Set the IP Address
You need to know the IP address in order to run the web-based STB Admin Configuration
application. By default, the set-top box is configured for DHCP (Dynamic Host
Configuration Protocol) and will automatically retrieve an IP address from a DHCP server if
present. If a DHCP server is not available, you can configure the set-top box with a static IP
address. The STB is set to a default IP address of 172.17.11.111 as a convenience. In most
cases, this should be changed to avoid conflicts. You can find this IP address using a keyboard
connected to the PS/2 port or by using a terminal connected to the serial port as explained
below.
TTo determine the STB IP address:
1. If a DHCP server is present, go to Finding the DHCP IP Address to determine the IP
address of your STB in DHCP mode.
2. If a DHCP server is not present, go to Assigning a Static IP Address to manually assign an
IP address other than the default.
Finding the DHCP IP Address
TTo determine the IP address of the set-top box when configured using DHCP:
1. Connect a keyboard and TV monitor to the set-top box and apply power. (Use the
optional wireless keyboard or a PS/2 keyboard). Wait for the box to completely power up
before continuing.
2. Press Ctrl-Alt-F1 on the keyboard to open a Command Prompt window.
3. At the prompt type ifconfig and press Enter. This shows the IP address, the network
interface configuration, and other parameters.
4. Reboot by powering the STB on and off using Power push button on front of unit.
Assigning a Static IP Address
TTo assign a static IP address using a Command Prompt window:
1. Connect a keyboard and TV monitor to the set-top box and apply power. (Use the
optional wireless keyboard or a PS/2 keyboard). Wait for the box to completely power up
before continuing.
2. Press Ctrl-Alt-F1 to open a Command Prompt window.
3. To enter the setup program, type pman and press Enter.
4. Select Parameters (using the arrow keys and Enter).
5. Select Network > Ethernet.
6. Change DHCP Enable to Static
7. When prompted, enter the default (case sensitive) user name and password: root and
admin.
8. Click Enter to reach OK and then click Enter.
9. Change DNS via DHCP to No.
Note By default, DHCP is used to retrieve a dynamic IP address for the STB. If you are
not using a DHCP server, you must configure the STB to use a static IP address.
The default static address is 172.17.11.111.

4EtherneTV Media Distribution System
10. Change Hostname via DHCP to No.For entries indicated with an asterisk (*), use the
arrow keys to move the cursor to the correct entry and use the spacebar to select the new
option.
11. Select IP address using the down arrow and the Enter key. Using the keyboard, enter the
IP address obtained from your network administrator and press Enter.
12. Select and enter the NetMask, Gateway addresses, and Hostname using the same
procedure as selecting the IP address above.
13. Leave the Ethernet interface Mode of operation at the default Auto (auto-negotiate).
(Other options are selectable but in most networks you should only select a different
option if necessary to interoperate with your network equipment.)
14. Enter the IP address of the Nameserver as follows:
a. Select Network (using the down arrow and Enter key).
b. Select Network again.
c. Select Domain NameServer IP Addresses and enter the Nameserver IP addresses.
(If there is more than one, separate the entries with the pipe character (|), for
example 172.16.1.11|172.16.1.10.)
15. When done, use the up arrow key to reach <. . . > and select using the Enter key on each
screen. Answer Yes when prompted to apply changes and Exit to return to the user
prompt level. Wait until the changes are applied and the interface returns; otherwise the
changes may be lost.
16. Reboot by powering the STB on and off using Power push button on front of unit.
4. Configure the Start Mode
Select the application Start Mode. This determines how the Set-Top Box will behave when
started. See the STB Admin Guide for more information.
Setup in MCS Mode
TTo configure the STB for MCS Mode:
1. On your PC, open Internet Explorer and enter the IP address of the EtherneTV-STB in
the URL (address) window.
2. Log in as root.
3. Password admin.
4. Click on Start.
5. Click on Configuration>Video>Setup>Start Mode.
6. Select MCS from pull down menu.
7. Click on Configuration>Video>Setup>MCS Location.
8. Enter your MCS IP address.
9. Click on Apply.
10. Click on Logout.
11. Click on Exit. The EtherneTV STB will restart in MCS mode.

STB Quick Start
STB v3.7.1 Quick Start Guide 5
Selecting Video in MCS Mode
Use the IR remote control unit to Watch live broadcasts or Browse video library and use
the left mouse button to enter.
Watch Television
The Watch live broadcasts menu displays a list of multicast streams. Unless there is a
channel assigned, the list is in alphabetical order and contains brief information about the
program. The Browse video library provides a matching user interface.
Navigation in MCS Mode
Setup in Local Mode
TTo configure the STB for Local (standalone) Mode:
1. On your PC, open Internet Explorer and enter the IP address of the STB in the URL
(address) window.
2. Log in as root.
3. Password admin.
4. Click on Start.
5. Click on Configuration>Video>Setup>Start Mode.
6. Select Local from pull down menu.
7. Click on Apply.
8. Click on Logout.
9. Click on Exit. The EtherneTV STB will restart in Local mode.
Watch Television
The menu displays a list of multicast streams. Unless there is a channel assigned, the list is in
alphabetical order and contains brief information about the program.
Select Channel Using the handheld IR remote control and press the up/down channel
button to highlight the desired channel selection. Once the stream is
highlighted, use the Select IR remote control button to start the
selected video in the Preview Window.
Play Control To Stop, Start and Pause the video, use the buttons on the bottom of
the preview window or use the buttons along the top of the IR remote
control unit. (Note that the video must be playing before control
buttons on the IR remote control unit or on the screen can be used.)
Channel
Assignments
If the entry has been assigned a specific channel assignment, it will
appear to the left of the text. Channel assignments are made in MCS
administration. For more information, see the MCS Admin Guide.
Full Screen Press Full Screen on the IR remote for full screen viewing; press
again to exit full screen viewing.
Exit Full Screen To exit full screen, press the Full Screen (blue) button on the IR
remote control.

6EtherneTV Media Distribution System
Selecting Video in Standalone Mode
Use the IR remote control unit to select. Use the mouse (round button in center) to scroll to
the desired "channel" and select with the left (green) button.
Navigation in Local Mode
An XML file defines the stream addresses and port numbers when operating in Local mode.
In most cases this file will need to be modified to reflect your actual network. See Sample
XML File Entries below for instructions to modify this file. Note that a video must be playing
before control buttons on the IR remote control unit or on the screen can be used.
Modifying the Local Mode XML File
This file is edited for local mode installations only and does not apply when operating in MCS
or Local-Fullscreen mode. Below is an excerpt of the local XML file that contains local mode
program information. This file will need to be modified for each network installation so that
IP addresses, port numbers, encoder types and program listings correspond to actual network
settings. A keyboard must be attached or use the wireless keyboard available from VBrick to
make these changes.
TTo access the XML configuration file:
1. Press Ctrl-Alt-F1 keys simultaneously
2. Type cd /wfs/localui
3. Type ls
4. Locate the file stbLocalUIData.xml
Sample XML File Entries
<!-- this is MPEG4 multicast live stream with SDP file stored locally-->
<Stream type=”SDP”>
Select Channel Using the handheld IR remote control and press the up/down channel
button to highlight the desired channel selection. Once the stream is
highlighted, use the (yellow) Select remote control button to start the
selected video in the Preview Window.
Play Control To Stop, Start and Pause the video, use the buttons on the bottom of
the preview window or use the buttons along the top of the IR remote
control unit.
Channel
Assignments
If specific entries are desired, see the Modifying the Local Mode XML
File below or refer to the XML Configuration Examples in the STB
Admin Guide.
Full Screen Mode Press Full Screen on the IR remote for full screen viewing; press
again to exit full screen viewing.
Exit Full Screen
Mode
To exit full screen, press the Full Screen (blue) button on the IR
remote control.
Note This XML file can be edited locally using a text editor (such as vi, included with the
system) or it can be uploaded to a Windows desktop, modified with Notepad, and
downloaded to the STB.

STB Quick Start
STB v3.7.1 Quick Start Guide 7
<ProgramName>Sample MPEG4 multicast through SDP file stored locally
</ProgramName>
<Message>SDP file stored locally</Message>
<SDP>file:///wfs/mpg/mySDP.sdp</SDP>
</Stream>
<!-- this is MPEG2 live stream -->
<Stream type=”MPEG2”>
<ProgramName>Sample MPEG2 stream</ProgramName>
<Message>This is CNN.</Message>
<Channel>2</Channel>
<IP>239.16.120.3</IP>
<Port>4444</Port>
</Stream>
5. After the file has been modified to contain the correct addressing and title information, it
must be saved using the correct text editor tools.
6. To return to the view mode, press Ctrl-Atl-F2.
Moving Files to the STB with FTP
Use this method when moving XML files in Local mode or running MPEG-4 Multicast with
an SDP file.
TTo decode multicast MPEG-4 in Local mode, one method is to place an SDP file on the
set-top box.
1. First, obtain an SDP file for the MPEG-4 multicast stream. When streaming from
VBXcast, see the instructions in the VBXcast Supplement Version 3.0.0 on SDP files.
2. Then use an FTP client to place the SDP file on the set-top box. A sample FTP session is
shown below;
C:\> ftp 172.22.117.70
User (172.22.117.70:(none)): root
Password: admin
ftp> bin
ftp> cd wfs/mpg
ftp> cd wfs/mpg (cd wfs/localui for the XML file)
ftp> put vbs1d1
ftp> bye
C:\>
Setup in Local-Fullscreen Mode
1. On your PC, open Internet Explorer and enter the IP address of the EtherneTV-STB in
the URL (address) window.
2. Log in as root.
3. Password admin.
4. Click on Start.
5. Click on Configuration>Video>Setup>Start Mode.
6. Select Local-Fullscreen from pull down menu.
7. Click on Receive Address. (See the table below for some common stream types; see the
STB Admin Guide for a complete list.)

8EtherneTV Media Distribution System
8. Enter the appropriate parameter syntax with IP address based on table below.
9. Click on Apply.
10. Click on Logout.
11. Click on Exit. The EtherneTV-STB will restart with Local-Fullscreen displayed.
Table 1. Receive Address Syntax
Watch Television
In this mode the STB will display the video stream you selected in Step 9 above. It covers the
entire screen and there are no user controls shown or available. Volume and Mute are the only
controls available from either the wireless keyboard or the IR handheld remote control.
Stream Type Command Syntax
Multicast MPEG1 RTSP@MULTICAST_MPEG1://multicast address:port/
Multicast MPEG2 RTSP@MULTICAST_MPEG2_TRANSPORT://multicast
address:port/
Multicast MPEG4 RTSP@ISMA_SDP_FILE:///wfs/<path to file>
(e.g. RTSP@ISMA_SDP_FILE:///wfs/mpg/
currentmp4.sdp)
RTSP/Unicast MPEG1
(EtherneTV-NXG only)
RTSP@KASENNA_MPEG1://<ipaddr>/program
RTSP/Unicast MPEG2
(EtherneTV-NXG only)
RTSP@KASENNA_MPEG2_TRANSPORT://<ipaddr>/program
RTSP/Unicast MPEG4 RTSP@ISMA://<ip addr>/program