ViewCast Niagara GoStream SURF User manual

© 2012 ViewCast Corporation. All rights reserved.
ViewCast, GoStream, ViewCast logo, SimulStream, Niagara, SchedulStream, Niagara logo,
Osprey, Niagara SCX, are trademarks or registered trademarks of ViewCast Corporation or its
subsidiaries.
Microsoft, Windows XP, Windows, Windows Media are trademarks or registered trademarks
of Microsoft Corporation.
QuickTime, iPhone, iPod are trademarks or registered trademarks of Apple Inc.
Adobe and Flash are trademarks or registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Inc.
Disclaimers
The information in this publication remains the property of ViewCast Corporation. Users may not use, reproduce, or disclose this
information without the implied consent and written approval of the company.
ViewCast Corporation makes no representations or warranties with respect to the contents or use of this manual and specifically disclaims
any express or implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose. Further, ViewCast Corporation reserves the
right to revise this publication to make enhancements in the products described in this manual, at any time, without obligation to notify
any person or entity of such revisions or changes. In no event will ViewCast Corporation be liable for direct, indirect, special, incidental, or
consequential damages arising out of the use or inability to use the product or documentation, even if advised of the possibility of such
damages.
ViewCast Corporation is not responsible for any third-party license fees that may occur with the use of our products by an end user
including but not limited to creating or distributing content. The user is responsible for any fees the Multimedia Patent Trust may apply
for creating and distributing MPEG content.
Warranties
For complete warranty details, refer to the specific warranty included with each product. General warranty information includes the
following:
Limited Warranty: ViewCast warrants its hardware products against defects in material and workmanship under normal use for the
period of one year (12 months) from date of sale. Where specific warranties exist that provide more substantial coverage,
notwithstanding the warranty provisions herein, such product warranties control and preempt or supersede the warranty provisions
herein.
Reseller Pass Through of Standard Limited Warranties: Resellers pass the ViewCast standard limited warranties for the products through
to the customer without modification. Any modification of a product voids the ViewCast warranties or any other existing or available
warranty.
ViewCast Corporation 3701 West Plano Parkway, Suite 300, Plano, TX 75075-7840 USA
Toll Free (U.S. only): 800.540.4119 website: www.viewcast.com

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Contents
Before You Begin.................................................................................................... 1
Product description...................................................................................................... 1
Audience....................................................................................................................... 2
Conventions for this guide ........................................................................................... 2
Rack mount safety instructions....................................................................................3
FCC notice.....................................................................................................................4
Installing additional software.......................................................................................5
Connecting to the Internet...........................................................................................5
Environmental notices ................................................................................................. 6
Warnings ......................................................................................................................7
Overview ................................................................................................................. 9
Media system functions ...............................................................................................9
Install overview ..........................................................................................................10
Prerequisites...............................................................................................................10
Package contents.................................................................................................11
System requirements .................................................................................................11
Specifications..............................................................................................................11
GoStream SURF front panel .......................................................................................12
GoStream SURF back panel........................................................................................14
Connecting the Niagara GoStream SURF ...................................................................16
Niagara GoStream SURF system menu ......................................................................17
Niagara GoStream SURF home page..........................................................................18
Menu bar commands...........................................................................................18
Niagara GoStream SURF browser windows flow ....................................................... 20
Easy Setup.............................................................................................................21
Web interface.............................................................................................................22
Easy first time setup...................................................................................................23
Connecting to an electrical power source ...........................................................23
Performing the initial startup ..............................................................................24
Connecting to an IP network ...............................................................................25
Changing the network settings ............................................................................26

Appendix C: Mapped Network Drive Setup
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Basic Operations...................................................................................................29
Starting up .................................................................................................................. 29
Shutting down ............................................................................................................ 30
Starting an encoder.................................................................................................... 31
Checking CPU usage ...................................................................................................33
Stopping an encoder ..................................................................................................34
Connecting an external storage device......................................................................35
Exporting captured video files.................................................................................... 35
Unmounting USB device.............................................................................................37
Web Interface.........................................................................................................39
Logging in....................................................................................................................39
Registering your product............................................................................................42
Viewing all encoders...................................................................................................45
Creating an encoder ...................................................................................................46
Starting an encoder.................................................................................................... 47
Stopping an encoder ..................................................................................................49
Advanced Operations............................................................................................51
AVI encoder................................................................................................................51
Video tab..............................................................................................................53
Audio tab..............................................................................................................55
Output tab ...........................................................................................................56
Flash H.264 encoder...................................................................................................58
Video tab..............................................................................................................59
Audio tab..............................................................................................................62
Output tab ...........................................................................................................63
H.264 presets tab................................................................................................. 65
MPEG-4 encoder ........................................................................................................66
Video tab..............................................................................................................67
Audio tab..............................................................................................................71
Output tab ...........................................................................................................73
H.264 Presets tab.................................................................................................75
MPEG-4 Presets tab .............................................................................................76
MPEG-2 Presets tab .............................................................................................77
Windows Media encoder ...........................................................................................78
Video tab..............................................................................................................79
Audio tab..............................................................................................................81
Output tab ...........................................................................................................82
DRM tab ............................................................................................................... 85

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TS Container..........................................................................................................87
Streaming to a TS container .......................................................................................87
Streaming ...................................................................................................................90
Output tab ...........................................................................................................90
Encoder Groups.....................................................................................................93
Viewing encoder groups............................................................................................. 93
Creating encoder groups............................................................................................94
Starting an encoder group..........................................................................................95
Stopping an encoder group........................................................................................95
Editing encoder groups ..............................................................................................96
Configuring the Preset ABC buttons........................................................................... 97
Using Preset ABC buttons to start an encoder group ................................................ 99
Viewing all encoders.................................................................................................100
Editing preset encoders............................................................................................100
Additional Settings and Features.......................................................................101
Configuring machine properties...............................................................................101
Changing computer name ................................................................................. 102
Changing the login password from the factory default.....................................103
Restoring the login password to the factory default.........................................103
Configuring alerts .....................................................................................................104
Configuring network properties............................................................................... 105
Configuring network card(s) ..............................................................................106
Configuring IP address .......................................................................................106
Configuring advanced settings (network)..........................................................107
IP Route table ...........................................................................................................108
System configuration settings..................................................................................109
Setting current system configuration ................................................................110
Configuring email settings .................................................................................111
Configuring idle screen information ..................................................................112
Configuring default directory setting.................................................................113
Setting CPU thresholds ......................................................................................113
Setting SimulStream filters ................................................................................114
Restoring Niagara GoStream SURF factory defaults.......................................... 114
Viewing the activity log ............................................................................................ 116
Viewing alerts...........................................................................................................118
Connecting an external storage device....................................................................119
Using the Niagara SCX interface...............................................................................119

Appendix C: Mapped Network Drive Setup
vi ViewCast
SNMP....................................................................................................................121
External SNMP Manager.................................................................................... 122
SNMP UDP Ports Used by SNMP Manager and SNMP Agents................................. 122
UDP Port for SNMP Requests ............................................................................ 122
UDP Port for SNMP Traps .................................................................................. 122
Install ViewCast SNMP Agent Service.......................................................................124
Installing for the first time .................................................................................124
Installing new version of ViewCast SNMP Agent Service ..................................127
Install and Configure Supero Doctor III Agent Service ............................................. 129
Configure Supero Doctor III SNMP Agent Service ....................................................130
Disable health monitoring for devices not in use..............................................130
Enabling health monitoring for devices not in use............................................131
Configure ViewCast SNMP Agent Service ................................................................132
Configuring community names..........................................................................132
Configuring permitted SNMP managers............................................................133
Configuring trap destinations ............................................................................135
Configuring SNMP Agent contact and location (optional).................................137
Use UDP Port Other Than 161 for SNMP Requests.................................................. 138
ViewCast SNMP Agent Logging ................................................................................139
Disable IIS Logging for ViewCast Encoders Web Service..........................................139
ViewCast SNMP Agent MIB Files ..............................................................................141
Retrieving IP and MAC Addresses of the Encoder System....................................... 141
SNMP Examples........................................................................................................141
Query of system information (SNMP GET Example) .........................................141
Start/stop an encoder through SNMP ...............................................................142
Start/stop all encoders per group through SNMP.............................................142
Start/stop all encoders in the system through SNMP .......................................142
Start SNMP trap listener ....................................................................................143
Appendix A: DRM for Windows Media ...............................................................145
Importing a DRM profile...........................................................................................146
Appendix B: H.264 Advanced Settings ..............................................................151
H.264 Presets............................................................................................................151
Settings.....................................................................................................................152
MPEG-4 Presets........................................................................................................ 154
Settings.....................................................................................................................155
MPEG-2 Presets........................................................................................................ 158
Settings.....................................................................................................................159
Appendix C: Mapped Network Drive Setup........................................................163

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Appendix D: System Menu..................................................................................173
Encoder menu .......................................................................................................... 174
Encoder start......................................................................................................174
Encoder stop......................................................................................................174
Encoder status ................................................................................................... 174
Access health menu..................................................................................................175
CPU status.......................................................................................................... 175
Memory available ..............................................................................................175
Setup system menu..................................................................................................176
Network link status............................................................................................176
Network MAC address .......................................................................................176
View network settings .......................................................................................177
Enable DHCP ......................................................................................................177
Set static IP addresses........................................................................................178
Set gateway address ..........................................................................................179
Set date and time...............................................................................................180
Setting video standard.......................................................................................180
Factory restore...................................................................................................181
Export files menu ..................................................................................................... 182
Export to USB drive............................................................................................182
Shutdown Niagara GoStream SURF...................................................................182
Index.....................................................................................................................183

Niagara GoStream SURF User Guide
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Before You Begin
Thank you for purchasing the ViewCast Niagara GoStream SURF streaming media system. This user
guide provides step-by-step instructions for installing and using your new streaming media system.
For the latest ViewCast product information and news, visit our website at www.viewcast.com.
Product description
Niagara GoStream SURF is an easy-to-use streaming system. You simply connect your audio and
video source to the Niagara GoStream SURF, select your target playback device, enter your
streaming server information, and press the Stream button.
You can configure and use the Niagara GoStream SURF right out of the box for most streaming uses.
For more advanced settings or controlling your Niagara GoStream SURF from another networked
computer, use the Niagara SCX Remote Management Software. The web interface in Niagara SCX®
also allows you to set many other system parameters for your Niagara GoStream SURF. Also, you
can customize the front panel of your Niagara GoStream SURF streaming media system using the
Niagara GoStream SURF web browser interface.
Figure 1. ViewCast Niagara GoStream SURF

Before You Begin
2 ViewCast
Audience
The audience for this publication includes anyone who uses or administers the Niagara GoStream
SURF. They should have a basic technical understanding of streaming media. This user guide
provides information on the Niagara GoStream SURF only.
Conventions for this guide
This guide uses the following document conventions to help you identify different types of
information.
Convention
Description
Example
Bold text
Characters to enter when
referenced in a procedure. The
name of fields or keys to press.
Enter DTMF as the group type.
Press Enter to save all your
changes.
Note:
Provides supplemental
information.
Note: The prompt may not
display if …
IMPORTANT!
Provides important data that
does affect how the system or
software responds.
IMPORTANT! You must
install Niagara SCX
prior to configuring SCX
options…
CAUTION!
Provides information to help
avoid possible damage to
hardware or a system crash
(without data loss).
CAUTION! Use case
sensitive commands to
keep from destroying…
WARNING!
Provides information to ensure
that you avoid potential injury,
death, or permanent system
damage.
WARNING! Do not touch
exposed wires.

Niagara GoStream SURF User Guide
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Rack mount safety instructions
Operating Temperature
The operating ambient temperature of a rack environment
may be greater than room ambient if installed in a closed or
multi-unit rack assembly. Therefore, you should install the
equipment in an environment compatible with the
maximum ambient temperature of 40° C.
Reduced Air Flow
You must not compromise the airflow required for safe
equipment operation when you install the equipment in a
rack.
Mechanical Loading
Mounting of the equipment in the rack should be such that
you do not cause a hazard due to uneven mechanical
loading.
Circuit Overloading
Consider the connection of the equipment to the supply
circuit and the effect that the overloading of the circuits
might have on current protection and supply wiring. You
must also consider and use the equipment nameplate
ratings when you address this concern.
Reliable Grounding
You must maintain reliable earth grounding of rack-
mounted equipment. Pay particular attention to supply
connections other than direct connections to the branch
circuit (such as using power strips).

Before You Begin
4 ViewCast
FCC notice
WARNING! You must connect this device and peripherals using shielded cables to comply with
FCC radio emission limits.
WARNING! Modifications to this device not approved by ViewCast Corporation could void the
FCC-granted authority for you to operate the device.
WARNING! The Niagara GoStream SURF complies with the limits for a Class B digital device
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference when you operate the equipment in a commercial environment. This
equipment generates, uses, and may radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area will likely cause harmful
interference. In this case you must correct the interference at your own expense.
Note: To CATV Installer: Pay special attention to Section 820-40 of the NEC that provides
guidelines for proper grounding. It particularly specifies that you must connect the cable
ground to the grounding system of the building as close to the point of cable entry as practical.
WARNING! Equipment installation must comply with local and national electrical codes.

Niagara GoStream SURF User Guide
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Installing additional software
The Niagara systems run an embedded version of the Microsoft Windows 7 operating system (OS),
which is a sub-set of the normal retail version. The Microsoft License agreement limits the use of the
system to what the machine is designed to do.
The Microsoft Update process is not available on embedded systems. It is also not advised to use a
Windows 7 installation CD to add features to the system or the system may fail.
You may load additional software on the system; however, ViewCast does not support this
additional software. You also need to ensure the primary drive is not full or the system will fail. In
the event of a problem, you may need to perform a Factory Restore, which returns the system to
the original software load. You may save the current encoder profiles and reload them when the
Factory Restore is complete.
You can perform a Factory Restore at any time. This process returns the system to the software load
that came with the system. Perform a Factory Restore if the system becomes unstable due to
installed applications, viruses, etc. Please refer to the user guide for instructions.
ViewCast Support can provide assistance should the system fail to start. In most cases, you can
restore an system to operation without returning it to ViewCast. There is a fee in the event a user
returns an system due to applications the user installed or if the system failed because the primary
partition (drive C) is full.
Connecting to the Internet
Never connect a Niagara system directly to the Internet. ViewCast recommends taking precautions
against unwanted access such as installing Niagara systems behind a router or firewall. The speed of
the router or switch should match or exceed the speed of the system’s network card. See your
network administrator for recommendations.

Before You Begin
6 ViewCast
Environmental notices
Product Disposal
Information:
Dispose of this product in accordance with local and
national disposal regulations (if any) including those
regulations governing the recovery and recycling of Waste
Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE).
RoHS Compliant:
ViewCast Corporation commits to compliance with the
European directive on the Restriction of the Use of Certain
Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic
Equipment, Directive 2002/95/EC, the RoHS directive.
This product supplied to the European Union does comply
with the RoHS directive. ViewCast certifies that this
equipment shipped to the European Union conforms to the
2002/95/EC directive.
For current RoHS statement, see www.viewcast.com.
Underwriters
Laboratories Inc.
Statement
Underwriters Laboratories Inc. has not tested the
performance or reliability of the security or signaling
aspects of this product. UL only tested for fire, shock, and
casualty hazards as outlined in UL’s Standard for Safety UL
60950-1. UL Certification does not cover the performance
or reliability of the security or signaling aspects of this
product.
UL does not represent, warranty, or certify the
performance of reliability of any security or signaling
related functions of this product.

Niagara GoStream SURF User Guide
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Warnings
Only trained and qualified personnel should install, replace, or service this equipment.
Do not attempt to open the case of the system. If you do so, you incur a high risk of electrical shock
that may cause damage to the system or personal physical injury or death to you and/or others. No
user-serviceable parts exist inside the system. If you open the system case or make unauthorized
changes to the case, ViewCast voids your warranty.
Install the system away from any heat sources. This remains vital to the safety of the product users.
Do not install the system near any heat sources such as:
Radiators
Heat registers
Stoves
Other heat-producing equipment
WARNING! Installing the system near heat sources could result in personal injury or death.
Never insert objects of any kind into the system through any system openings, as the objects
may touch dangerous voltage points, short out parts, and result in a risk of fire or electrical
shock.
Do not stack the system atop or below other electronic devices as this can cause heat build-up and
vibration of the system. These conditions can damage the system thereby voiding the limited
warranty.
Note: You may stack multiple Niagara GoStream SURF units as these systems accommodate
stacking.
Do not install the system in any area where the temperature is less than 5°C or more than 40°C.
Transfer from temperature extremes may cause condensation. Let the system remain unplugged at
room temperature for at least 45 minutes before connecting it.
Use an outlet with surge suppression or ground fault protection when using the system. Unplug the
power cord from the wall outlet and disconnect the lines between the system and the video source
for added protection:
During a lightning storm
During dangerous weather conditions
When the encoder remains unattended or unused for long periods
Reduce the risk of fire or electric shock. Do not expose the system to any rain or moisture. Exposing
the system to rain or other types of moisture could result in system damages. Do not place any
liquids on or near the system. If you place liquids in any form on or near the system, do so at your
own risk, for you incur a high risk of electrical shock that could occur and cause damage to the
system.

Before You Begin
8 ViewCast
WARNING! Exposing the system to rain or other types of moisture could result in physical injury
or death. Any liquids on or near the system may result in electrical shock and personal injury
or death.
Refer all servicing to authorized service personnel. You must have authorized personnel only service
any damaged system. Relevant damage may occur with but is not limited to the following:
An unplugged or damaged power supply cord
Spilled liquid on the system
Fallen objects in or on the system
System exposure to rain or other moisture or liquid
Failure to perform as described in the User Guide
A dropped system
ViewCast assumes no liability or responsibility for any damaged system that clients continue using.
Use only attachments, accessories, or equipment specified by the manufacturer with the system.
Using accessories or attachments not recommended by the encoder manufacturer voids the Limited
Warranty.
Do not attempt to service the system yourself. If you open or remove covers, you may be exposed to
dangerous voltage. Such action voids the Limited Warranty. Refer all servicing issues to authorized
service personnel only.
The plug-socket combination that serves as the main disconnecting device must be accessible at all
times.
Protect the power cord from anyone walking on it and being strained or pinched particularly at
plugs, electrical receptacles, and the point where the power cord exits the system.
Do not use adapter plugs or remove the grounding prong from the power cable.
Use only the type of power source indicated on the marking label on the back panel of the unit to
operate the system. Unplug the system power cord by gripping the plug and removing it from the
power source. Do not pull the cord to remove the power source from the system.
Do not plug the system into a wall outlet that contains an overload of electrical cords or power
strips/extension cords. This type of overload may result in fire or electrical shock risks.
Always handle the system carefully. Always avoid excessive shock and vibration to the system.
Excessive shock or vibration can damage the system.
WARNING! Excessive shock or vibration to the system may result in electrical shock and personal
injury or death.

Niagara GoStream SURF User Guide
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Overview
Before you can use your Niagara GoStream SURF streaming media system, you first need to set up
and configure it. This chapter is dedicated to providing you with the details and step-by-step
instructions you need to make your installation as quick and easy as possible.
All you need to get started are the four following requirements:
AC power source (100 - 240 V)
Your audio and video source (such as a camera, video player, or other A/V output device)
A streaming media server or hosting provider
IP connection and/or Internet connection
The Niagara GoStream SURF, an easy-to-use streaming device, allows you to:
Connect to a compatible browser on a dynamic host configuration protocol/domain name server
(DHCP/DNS) network.
Configure and connect your audio and video source to the Niagara GoStream SURF.
Select your output formats and streaming settings.
Enter your streaming server information.
Start streaming your media.
You can configure and use the Niagara GoStream SURF straight from the box for any streaming
activities. Use the Web interface for setting options and controlling your Niagara GoStream SURF
from another networked computer, as well as more advanced options.
WARNING! Read the installation instructions before connecting the system to the power source.
Media system functions
Although it has many features and capabilities, the Niagara GoStream SURF streaming media system
performs, in its most basic functions, as follows:
Takes analog audio and video inputs
Captures the signals
Encodes the signals into digital IP video formats
Delivers the IP audio and video content to a storage device or streams it over an IP network

Overview
10 ViewCast
Install overview
This section addresses the high-level actions you must perform to physically connect and set up your
Niagara GoStream SURF system.
You must complete the following primary tasks to install the Niagara GoStream SURF:
1. Address and comply with all prerequisites.
2. Connect the Niagara GoStream SURF streaming media system using its power source.
3. Connect the video source (camera or video recorder) to the system.
4. Connect the Niagara GoStream SURF to an IP network.
5. Configure the Niagara GoStream SURF system.
Prerequisites
Before installing and connecting the Niagara GoStream SURF, ensure you comply with the following
prerequisites:
All packaged items are undamaged and in working order.
Your environment meets all system requirements.
Safety instructions, notices, and warnings detailed in Before You Begin including:
oRack Mount Safety Instructions
oFCC Notice
oEnvironmental Notices
oWarnings