VBrick 8000-0188 User manual

VBrick Multi-Format Set Top Box
Multi-Format Set Top Box v2.2.5
Quick Start Guide
January 2016

Copyright
© 2016 VBrick Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.
2121 Cooperative Way, Suite 100
Herndon, VA 20171, USA
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 Systems, Inc. Information in this document is subject to change without notice and VBrick assumes
no responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccuracies. VBrick, VBrick Systems, the VBrick logo, VEMS Mystro,
StreamPlayer, and StreamPlayer Plus are trademarks or registered trademarks of VBrick Systems, Inc. in the United States
and other countries. Windows Media, SharePoint, OCS and Lync are trademarked names of Microsoft Corporation in the
United States and other countries. All other products or services mentioned in this document are identified by the
trademarks, service marks, or product names as designated by the companies who market those products. Inquiries should be
made directly to those companies. This document may also have links to third-party web pages that are beyond the control of
VBrick. The presence of such links does not imply that VBrick endorses or recommends the content of any third-party web
pages. VBrick acknowledges the use of third-party open source software and licenses in some VBrick products. This freely
available source code is posted at http://www.vbrick.com/opensource
About VBrick Systems
Founded in 1998, VBrick Systems 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 thousands of video appliances installed world-wide, VBrick is the recognized leader in
reliable, high-performance, easy-to-use networked video solutions.
VBrick is an active participant in the development of industry standards and continues to play an influential role in the
Internet Streaming Media Alliance (ISMA), the MPEG Industry Forum, and Internet2. In 1998 VBrick invented and shipped
the world's first MPEG Video Network Appliance designed to provide affordable DVD-quality video across the network.
Since then, VBrick's video solutions have grown to include Video on Demand, Management, Security and Access Control,
Scheduling, and Rich Media Integration. VBrick solutions are successfully supporting a broad variety of applications
including distance learning and training, conferencing and remote office communications, security, process monitoring,
traffic monitoring, business and news feeds to the desktop, webcasting, corporate communications, collaboration, command
and control, and telemedicine. VBrick serves customers in education, government, healthcare, and financial services markets
among others. VBrick products are manufactured in an ISO certified manufacturing facility.

Multi-Format STB Quick Start iii
Contents
Multi-Format STB v2.2.5 Quick Start
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
Copyright . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
Getting Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi
Font Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi
Environmental Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi
1. Getting Started
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Creating STB Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Hardware Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Start Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Local Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Local Fullscreen Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Portal Server Mode (VEMS 5.x) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Portal Server Mode (VEMS 6.x) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2. Configuration
Displaying the Setup Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Changing the IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
STB Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Adjusting the Display Area of Output Devices (VEMS 5.x) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Adjusting the Display Area of Output Devices (VEMS 6.x) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Upgrade, Reset, Change Password. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
3. Creating a Channel Guide
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Configuring channels.xml. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Sample Channels File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Sample URLs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Updating channels.xml . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Using wget. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Using vi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Hosting channels.xml on a PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Configuring a PC as a Web Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Putting the Files on a PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Configuring the STB Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Using Multiple channel.xml Files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Configuring Multiple Channel Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Testing the Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

iv Contents
4. Managing the Set Top Box
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Telnet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
VBDirectory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Web Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
5. Software Upgrade
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Using the Setup Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Using Telnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Telnet Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Using an IIS Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Mass Upgrade Using a VEMS Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
1. Unlock the Upgrade Image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
2. Configure the Global Setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
3. Configure the Upgrade Server URL in VEMS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
4. Configure the STB with the VEMS Upgrade Server URL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Cancelling the Upgrade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
6. Using the Remote Control
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Using the Remote Control (VEMS 5.x) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Portal Server Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Local Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
Using the Remote Control (VEMS 6.x) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Portal Server Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Local Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Using the Remote Control to Change the Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
7. Editing Config.txt
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Setting Configuration Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Config.txt File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

Multi-Format STB Quick Start v
Multi-Format STB v2.2.5 Quick Start
Preface
When you want to distribute high-definition IP video in cost-sensitive applications, the
VBrick Multi-Format Set Top Box (STB) is the solution. This unit is ideal for large-scale
deployment to plasmas, LCDs, projectors and other large format displays. It supports the
leading compression protocols, so it fits into most applications. And, it's designed to be
low-cost and easy to deploy, so it fits into most budgets. Part of VBrick's end-to-end
enterprise solution, the Multi-Format STB works seamlessly with the VBrick Enterprise
Media System (VEMS), delivering live and on-demand programming in a user-friendly format
for a rich and customized viewer experience.
Organization
This online help system provides access to Multi-Format Set Top Box documentation. If
you find errors or omissions in this manual, click the e-mail icon in the upper-right corner of
this window or send your feedback to [e-mail]. The information in this
document is arranged as follows:
Important Note The Multi-Format Set Top Box can be used with VEMS 5.x systems and
with VEMS 6.x systems. These systems are architected differently and as a result, the
interaction with the set top box is slightly different. When using this guide, be sure to note
whether the text applies to VEMS 5.x or to VEMS 6.x. If not specifically stated, the feature
or function works the same for both versions of VEMS.
1. Getting Started explains how to install the set top box and the differences
between Local Mode and Fullscreen Mode.
2. Configuration explains how to configure the Video and Output Settings
to match the requirements at your site.
3. Creating a Channel Guide explains how to configure a local channel guide and FTP
it to the set top box.
4. Managing the Set Top Box summarizes the various management tools available to
configure and manage the unit.
5. Software Upgrade explains how to update the software when an upgrade is
available.
6. Using the Remote Control explains how to use the remote control in Local Mode
and Portal Server Mode.
7. Editing Config.txt explains how to manually edit the config.txt file.

vi Welcome
Getting Help
If you can't find the information you need in this document, or from your reseller, you can
contact VBrick Support Services on the web, by e-mail, or by calling 1-203 303-0222. For
faster service, be sure to have your VBrick product serial number or support contract
number. Support Services can usually answer your technical questions in 24 business hours or
less. Note that all VBrick documentation is on the web. For more information about any
VBrick product, go to www.vbrick.com/documentation
Font Conventions
Arial bold is used to describe dialog boxes and menu choices, for example: Start > All
Programs > VBrick
Courier fixed-width font is used for scripts, code examples, or keyboard commands.
Courier bold fixed-width font is used for user input in scripts, code examples, or keyboard
commands.
This bold black font is used to strongly emphasise important words or phrases.
Folder names and user examples in text are displayed in this sans serif font.
User input in text is displayed in this bold sans serif font.
Italics are used in text to emphasize specific words or phrases.
When used in file names or other strings, a percent20 "%20" indicates a space.
Environmental Considerations
At VBrick, we believe that running our company with a "green" conscience is good for the
environment and good for business and that environmental awareness is an important part of
the value we deliver to our customers. We recognize our responsibilities to our customers,
partners, and employees, and also to the communities in which we live and work. We believe
that the same ethics and principles that guide our daily business decisions should be applied
to the environment as well. We design superior quality, high performance, and energy-
efficient products and are continually looking for ways to conserve energy and reduce waste.
As a company, we look for ways to be environmentally friendly in designing our products and
operating our facilities, and by choosing partners and suppliers who are committed to
sustainable development. You can help by recycling batteries and other consumables and by
finding new and better ways to protect and preserve our environment. If you have ideas or
suggestions that will help to reinforce our commitment to these goals, please let us know.

Multi-Format STB Quick Start 1
Chapter 1
Getting Started
Topics in this chapter
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Start Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Overview
This document describes the VBrick Multi-Format Set Top Box. It's called "multi-format"
because it plays most of the video codecs commonly in use today. It plays live or stored
streams—it records streams in VEMS Server Mode only. It delivers both Standard
Definition and High Definition output at resolutions up to 1080p30. These pages explain
how to connect and configure the Multi-Format set top box. There is no software installation
required—simply connect and configure the device as explained in this document and you
are done. The Multi-Format STB decodes and plays the streams shown in Table 1. These
streams can be sourced from VBrick encoding appliances or from VBrick VOD-W (MPEG),
VOD-WM (Windows Media), VOD-D (Darwin), and DME (Distributed Media Engine)
VOD servers.
Figure 1. Multi-Format Set Top Box (front)
Creating STB Users
In a VEMS Mystro environment, each STB must be associated with a VEMS user and each
VEMS STB user must be unique. In large-scale deployments with hundreds of boxes, creating
these users is a time-consuming and error-prone manual process. The STB Users Utility is a
program that automates this process and automatically creates users and assigns them to each
STB in your environment. For an explanation of how to install and use this utility, see the
"STB Users Utility" topic in the Portal Server Admin Guide.
Table 1. Supported Stream Formats
Format Description
H.264 RTSP Interleaved, RTSP (Transport Stream and RTP)
Windows Media HTTP and RTSPU (ASF Format)
MPEG-2 Multicast, Unicast (Transport Stream)
MPEG-4 RTSP, RTSP Interleaved (RTP)

2© 2016 VBrick Systems, Inc.
Hardware Specifications
Table 2. Hardware Specifications
Installation
The Multi-Format Set Top Box is shipped with Audio/Video, S-Video, Ethernet, and power
cables. It also has a handheld IR remote control unit with batteries. Connect the STB to a
standard or high definition TV as explained below. Check the components for damage as you
unpack the device and contact VBrick if anything is missing or damaged. Use common sense
when installing the set top box. Do not expose the unit to direct sunlight, high humidity or wet
conditions. Do not block the air vents or impede the airflow in any way.
Video Decoder and
Transport Protocols
• Windows Media in ASF over HTTP
• H.264 in RTP and MPEG-2 Transport Stream
• MPEG-4 part 2 over RTP
• MPEG-2 over Transport Stream
Network Connectivity 10/100 Base T
Video Outputs • NTSC 720x480 @ 30fps
• PAL 720x576 @ 25fps
• HD Outputs: 720p and 1080i
• HDMI, Component Video, S-Video, and Composite Video
• Resolutions up to 1920x1080
Audio Outputs • Stereo audio
• Embedded audio on the HDMI interface
Front Panel Display • IR Window
• LAN connectivity monitor LED
Rear Panel • CVBS composite out (RCA jack yellow)
• Component out (RCA jacks green, blue, and red)
• Audio out port (RCA jack white, red)
• RJ-45 LAN port
• USB port for keyboard
• HDMI
IR Interface Yes
Dimensions L 9.4in x D 6in x H 2.2in (L 23.9cm x D 15.2cm x H 5.6cm)
Power Supply 18W
Weight 1.8 lbs
Regulatory Approvals FCC Part 15, CE
Operating Range • Temperature from 0 to 40C
• Humidity 5% ~ 95%

Getting Started
Multi-Format STB Quick Start 3
Figure 2. Multi-Format Set Top Box (rear)
To setup and connect the Multi-Format STB:
1. Place the device in a suitable location.
2. Connect the device to your network using the provided Ethernet cable with an RJ-45
connector.
3. Connect the STB to the display device(s). You can output to multiple standard or high
definition devices using the composite, component, or HDMI connectors.
4. Connect the audio outputs as necessary.
5. Connect the power supply to the STB and install two AAA batteries in the remote
control.
Table 3. Rear Panel Connectors
Table 4. Front Panel LEDs (left to right)
Connector Description
USB port Use to connect a USB keyboard.
IR Supports an IR extender for the remote control.
A/V Output • Y, Pb, Pr – component connectors.
• SPDIF – used with 5-in-1 audio cable.
• VIDEO – composite connector.
• R-AUDIO-L – left/right audio out.
• S-VIDEO – S-Video connector.
Optical Not used.
HDMI HDMI output. Connect to an HDMI-compatible TV.
LAN1/LAN2 Use LAN 1 to connect to your Ethernet network. LAN 2 can be used as a
second network connection but may impact performance.
DC12V Connect to power supply.
LED Color Description
Standby Red Flashes red when power is applied.
Power Green Steady green when power is applied.
Link Green Steady green when power is applied.
IR Remote Red Flashes red when using IR remote control.

4© 2016 VBrick Systems, Inc.
Start Mode
The Start Mode indicates how the set top box is populated with channel content. It
determines the look-and-feel of the interface and controls which channels are displayed and
available for viewing. STB Configuration on page 10 explains how to configure the Start
Mode.
Table 5. STB Start Modes
Local Mode
In Local Mode the Multi-Format STB plays "channels" that are hard-coded in an .xml file and
FTPed to the STB. The box will then display a "channel guide" as shown in Figure 3. Local
Mode (or Local Fullscreen Mode) is configured in the channels.xml file. See Configuring
channels.xml on page 17 for details.
Figure 3. Local Mode
Local Fullscreen Mode
In Local Fullscreen Mode the set top box plays one channel that fills the entire screen. A set
top box configured for Full Screen Mode is shown in Figure 4. Local Fullscreen Mode is
configured in the channels.xml file.
Start Mode Description
Local Host the channel guide directly on the set top box using channels.xml.
Server Populate the channel guide from VEMS. Enter the IP address or hostname
of the VEMS server. Use https in the URL to configure for SSL.
Other Host the channel guide on local PC using the IIS server. Enter the IP
address/URL pointing to the location of the pages.