Z3 Technology Z3-HE4K-R4 User manual

User Instructions
Four Channel 4K Video Encoder
Model Name: Z3-HE4K-R4
The Power of ZEUS™
DOC-USR-0078-01
Manual Version 2.01.47.15
Software Version 2.01.47.15
September 8, 2015
Before attempting to connect or operate this product, please read these instructions carefully and save the manual for future use.
© Z3 Technology, LLC. All rights reserved. This document contains proprietary and confidential information of Z3 Technology, LLC ("Z3"). This
document may not be used, reproduced, disclosed, or disseminated to anyone without prior written approval of an authorized Z3 representative.
Z3 Technology, LLC incorporates HDMI® technology. The terms of HDMI and HDMI High-Definition Multimedia Interface, and
the HDMI Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing LLC in the United States and other countries.

Revision History
Version
Date
Change Note
Author
2.01.47.15
09/08/2015
Original Document
KA

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION ................................................................................................. 5
1.1 Preface ................................................................................................................. 5
2.0 QUICK START GUIDE ..................................................................................................... 5
2.1 If You Have Received a System from Z3 with the Software Preloaded ........................................ 5
2.2 If You Already Have a System from Z3 and Need to Update the Firmware ................................... 5
3.0 INCLUDED PARTS LIST ................................................................................................... 6
4.0 FEATURES ................................................................................................................. 7
4.1 Supported Encode Resolutions ...................................................................................... 7
5.0 OPERATING CONTROLS .................................................................................................. 8
6.0 GETTING STARTED AND RUNNING THE Z3-HE4K-R4 ................................................................. 9
6.1 Prepare the 4K Source ............................................................................................... 9
6.2 Connect and Power Up the Z3-HE4K-R4 ........................................................................... 9
6.3 Find the Z3-HE4K-R4 on the Network using ZFinder ............................................................10
6.4 Configure the Encoder to Stream to UDP ........................................................................12
6.5 Streaming RTP........................................................................................................14
6.6 Using DHCP ...........................................................................................................16
6.7 Tuning for Latency...................................................................................................20
6.8 Using the “Aux TS File Option” ....................................................................................21
7.0 PERFORMING OTHER OPERATIONS WITH THE Z3-HE4K-R4 ........................................................22
7.1 Saving Current Settings .............................................................................................22
7.2 Making a Firmware Update.........................................................................................22
7.3 Using the Password Feature ........................................................................................23
8.0 SUMMARY OF OPTIONS .................................................................................................25
8.1 The System Setup Tab...............................................................................................25
8.2 The User Presets Tab ................................................................................................26
8.3 The Status Tab........................................................................................................27
8.4 The CH1 Tab (Encode Options).....................................................................................28
8.5 Values Appearing at the Bottom of All Tabs ......................................................................30
APPENDIX A: Troubleshooting .............................................................................................31

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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Parts Included with the Z3-HE4K-R4 ........................................................................... 6
Figure 2 Z3-HE4K-R4 Front View .......................................................................................... 8
Figure 3 Z3-HE4K-R4 Rear View ........................................................................................... 8
Figure 4 Encoder Connections for Z3-HE4K-R4 .......................................................................... 9
Figure 5 ZFinder with Z3-HE4K-R4 Listed ...............................................................................10
Figure 6 ZFinder with Z3-HE4K-R4 Selected ............................................................................10
Figure 7 System Setup Tab ................................................................................................11
Figure 8 Clicking on CH1 Tab..............................................................................................11
Figure 9 Configuring the 4K Encoder to Stream via UDP..............................................................12
Figure 10 VLC Open Network Screen for UDP ..........................................................................13
Figure 11 Example of Z3 Video Streaming to VLC (UDP) ..............................................................13
Figure 12 Configuring the 4K Encoder to Stream via RTP.............................................................14
Figure 13 VLC Open Network Stream Screen for RTP .................................................................15
Figure 14 Example of Z3 Video Streaming to VLC (RTP) ..............................................................15
Figure 15 The User Presets Tab ...........................................................................................16
Figure 16 Entering a User Preset Name .................................................................................16
Figure 17 Selecting “z3_config1” within the System Setup Tab .....................................................17
Figure 18 Setting DHCP within z3_config1 ..............................................................................17
Figure 19 Saving a User Preset............................................................................................17
Figure 20 Reboot Reminder for Changing IP Settings..................................................................18
Figure 21 ZFinder with Z3-HE4K-R4 DHCP Address ....................................................................18
Figure 22 Web GUI Using DHCP Address .................................................................................19
Figure 23 Tuning for Various Use Cases..................................................................................20
Figure 24 Using the Aux TS File Enable Option .........................................................................21
Figure 25 Updating the Device Firmware ...............................................................................22
Figure 26 Selecting “Set Password”......................................................................................23
Figure 27 Changing the Password ........................................................................................23
Figure 28 Password Entry Screen.........................................................................................24

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1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1 Preface
The Z3-HE4K-R4 features four independent systems that each support H.264 encode in resolutions up to
4K through HDMI to be streamed via UDP or RTP. It is configurable through an easy-to-use GUI. With
these features and the 1RU design makes the Z3-HE4K-R4 is the ideal encoding solution for industrial
video, video distribution, surveillance and remote monitoring.
2.0 QUICK START GUIDE
2.1 If You Have Received a System from Z3 with the Software Preloaded
To start working with the encoder, you can go straight to Section 6.0, “ GETTING STARTED AND RUNNING
THE Z3-HE4K-R4,” on page 9. This section describes how to quickly stream 4K to a UDP or RTP stream.
Adding password protection is described in Section 7.3, “Using the Password Feature,” on page 23.
Finally, a summary of each parameter that can be configured in the GUI is given in Section 8.0, “
SUMMARY OF OPTIONS,” on page 25.
2.2 If You Already Have a System from Z3 and Need to Update the Firmware
You can update the firmware via the web GUI interface by following the instructions in Section 7.2,
“Making a Firmware Update,” on page 22.

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3.0 INCLUDED PARTS LIST
*Note: The serial cables are included for debugging purposes and are not needed by the typical Z3-
HE4K-R4 user.
*Note: The HDMI cables are HDMI 1.4 cables. This is required for 4K support.
Figure 1 Parts Included with the Z3-HE4K-R4
Z3-HE4K-R4
AC Power Cord
2x HDMI Cables
CCa
2x DB-9 Serial Cables
CCa

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4.0 FEATURES
Four independent systems each supporting encode at 3840 x 2160 at 30fps H.264 + AAC
4K HDMI Input
Output to MPEG-2 TS or RTP stream through GigE Ethernet
Multicast or Unicast streaming
Bitrate and frame rate changes without stopping/restarting encoder
Web based configuration software for user-friendly configuration, control, and update
Operating temperature: 0 to 40 degrees C at 20-80% relative humidity
Storage temperature: -10 to 65 degrees C at 20-80% relative humidity
Measurements: 430 x 410 x 42 mm (16.93 x 16.14 x 1.65 in)
Weight: 5.56 kg (12.25 lb)
4.1 Supported Encode Resolutions
4K HDMI: 2160p30, 2160p29.97, 2160p25, 2160p24, 2160p23.98
HD HDMI: 1080p60, 1080i, 720p60
1Only SATA2 drives are supported.

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5.0 OPERATING CONTROLS
FRONT VIEW
REAR VIEW
Figure 2 Z3-HE4K-R4 Front View
Figure 3 Z3-HE4K-R4 Rear View
RS-232 1 RS-232-3
Encoder 1
HDMI In 1
HDMI Out 1
Ethernet 1
Encoder 2
HDMI In 2
HDMI Out 2
Ethernet 2
Encoder 3
HDMI In 3
HDMI Out 3
Ethernet 3
Encoder 4
HDMI In 4
HDMI Out 4
Ethernet 4
Power Switch
RS-232 2 RS-232-4
Power Supply

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6.0 GETTING STARTED AND RUNNING THE Z3-HE4K-R4
To encode 4K video, complete the following steps:
6.1 Prepare the 4K Source
(1) Set the video source to a supported resolution and frame rate and connect an HDMI 1.4 cable to it.
6.2 Connect and Power Up the Z3-HE4K-R4
For these steps, please refer to Figure 4.
(2) Take the HDMI1.4 cable from step (1) and connect it to HDMI In 1 of the Z3-HE4K-R4.
(3) Connect an Ethernet cable to the Ethernet 1 on the Z3-HE4K-R4. Connect the other end of the
Ethernet cable directly to a PC. You will use this PC to control the Z3-HE4K-R4.
(4) Connect the power supply on the back side of the enclosure.
(5) Optionally connect the Ethernet and Video Source for Encoders 2-4 if you are doing multiple encodes.
(6) Optionally connect HDMI Out to monitor for monitoring of the input signal (pass-through).
(7) Turn on the power switch. 4K initialization and setup then starts.
Figure 4 Encoder Connections for Z3-HE4K-R4
(1) Connect Video Source
to HDMI In
(2) Connect
Ethernet

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6.3 Find the Z3-HE4K-R4 on the Network using ZFinder
(8) Make sure your Windows PC is connected to the same network in which the Z3-HE4K-R4 is connected.
(9) Run the “ZFinder” PC Utility on your Windows PC (If you do not have ZFinder installed, you can find
it on your USB provided with your Z3 shipment). The ZFinder window appears. ZFinder completes a
scan of the network and lists the location of all Z3 systems connected to the network. In this case,
two encoders of the Z3-HE4K-R4 appear:
Figure 5 ZFinder with Z3-HE4K-R4 Listed
Note: All four encoders on the HE4K-R4 are configured to use DHCP initially so ZFinder should be
used to find the IP address of the encoders.
(10) Click on the top Z3-HE4K-01 entry in the window to select it. This will cause the “Edit Device”,
“Open Device” and “Flash LEDs” boxes to activate:
Figure 6 ZFinder with Z3-HE4K-R4 Selected

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(11) Click on “Open Device.” An Internet browser window is opened (default browser used is Firefox) and
the Web GUI appears starting with the System Setup tab:
(12) Confirm that the operating mode is “Encoder UltraHD.” If it is not, select “Encoder UltraHD” as the
operating mode in the lower right corner.
(13) Click on the CH1 tab to bring up the encoder settings:
Figure 8 Clicking on CH1 Tab
Figure 7 System Setup Tab
Click here

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6.4 Configure the Encoder to Stream to UDP
(14) Change “Output Format” to “UDP.”
(15) Change “Dest Address” to 192.168.0.6.
(16) Change “Dest Port” to 5004.
(17) Click “start”.
(18) After your changes, the “CH1” tab should have the following settings:
Figure 9 Configuring the 4K Encoder to Stream via UDP
(1) Change Output Format
to “UDP”
(2) Change Dest Address to
192.168.0.6
(3) Change Dest Port to
5004

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(19) Run VLC on your PC (version used in testing at Z3: 2.1.5)
(20) Select Media –Open Network Stream. In the box, type “udp://@192.168.0.6:5004”, where
“192.168.0.6” is the IP address of your PC.
(21) Press “Play.”
(22) You should now see 4K video streaming to VLC:
Figure 11 Example of Z3 Video Streaming to VLC (UDP)
Figure 10 VLC Open Network Screen for UDP

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6.5 Streaming RTP
The Z3-HE4K-R4 also supports streaming a 4K stream via RTP. To do this, perform the following steps:
(23) Click “stop” to stop any previous encoding runs.
(24) Change “Output Format” to “RTP.”
(25) Change “Dest Address” to 192.168.0.6.
(26) Click “start”.
(27) After your changes, the “CH1” tab should have the following settings:
Figure 12 Configuring the 4K Encoder to Stream via RTP
(1) Change Output Format to “RTP”
Change to “192.168.0.6”
Confirm Dest Port is “5004”

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(28) Open VLC. Select “Media –Open Network Stream”
(29) In the “Open Media” box, type “rtsp://192.168.81.68/{name}.mp4”, where “192.168.81.68” is the
IP address of the Z3-HE4K-R4, and {name} is “z3-1” for unicast streaming, and “z3-1m” for multicast
streaming. For example, for the settings in Figure 12, since 192.168.0.6 is a unicast address, the
value would be “rtsp://192.168.81.68/z3-1m.mp4”:
(30) Click “Play.” You should then see RTP video streaming on VLC:
*Note: The latest version of VLC (2.1.5) may be needed for RTSP support.
Figure 14 Example of Z3 Video Streaming to VLC (RTP)
Figure 13 VLC Open Network Stream Screen for RTP

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6.6 Using DHCP
The Z3-HE4K-R4 also supports DHCP. When enabled, the Z3-HE4K-R4 dynamically receives an IP address
to use at startup. The IP address that is assigned can be seen either through the serial interface or
through the ZFinder tool running on a PC. To view how DHCP support works, see the following steps:
(1) The first thing you need to do is set up a custom configuration so that the DHCP setting is used the
next time the system boots up. To do this, click on the “User Presets” tab and click on “new”:
(2) This brings up a new text box to enter the preset name. Type “z3_config1” and click “ok”:
(1) Click here to select “User
Presets”
(2) Click here to set a new preset
Figure 15 The User Presets Tab
Figure 16 Entering a User Preset Name
(1) Click on “User Presets” Tab
(2) Click on “new”
(1) Type “z3_config1”
(2) Click “ok”

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(3) Return to the System Setup tab. Go to the bottom of the screen and select as the preset the
“z3_config1” configuration you just created:
(4) As soon as you select “z3_config1”, the screen will reload. Go ahead and check the “Use DHCP”
box.
(5) Now that DHCP is set in z3_config1, save the configuration by clicking on the “Save” button:
(2) Select “z3_config1”
configuration
Figure 17 Selecting “z3_config1” within the System Setup Tab
Click “Save”
Check “Use DHCP”
again
(1) Click on “System Setup”
Figure 19 Saving a User Preset
Figure 18 Setting DHCP within z3_config1

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(6) When you do this, a window pops up reminding the user that, for changes to IP Address / DHCP /
Local Netmask / Default Gateway to take effect, a reboot is required. Click “Ok”:
(7) Now that you’ve set DHCP, saved it to the configuration “z3_config1”, and specified that
“z3_config1” will be used when the system restarts, you can reboot the Z3-HE4K-R4.
(8) Run the “ZFinder” PC Utility on your Windows PC. The ZFinder window appears. ZFinder completes
a scan of the network and lists the location of all Z3 systems connected to the network. In this case,
the Z3-HE4K-R4 appears with the IP address obtained through DHCP:
Figure 20 Reboot Reminder for Changing IP Settings
Figure 21 ZFinder with Z3-HE4K-R4 DHCP Address
New IP address

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(9) Select the Z3-HE4K-R4 and then click “Open Device.” A web browser will then open at the IP
address of the Z3-HE4K-R4 and you should see the Web GUI:
Figure 22 Web GUI Using DHCP Address
(10) You can return to Static IP by unchecking “Use DHCP” and saving that to the preset.
New IP address

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6.7 Tuning for Latency
For latency, the key parameter to work with is Maximum Delay.
Maximum Delay defines the number of milliseconds of buffering the encoder has to work with. The
higher this value, the more buffers it has to work with and the more time it has to “smooth things out”
for challenging content. However, a higher value also causes latency to increase accordingly. To
minimize latency, this value should be set to the lowest possible value. The lowest value Z3
recommends is 100.
Figure 23 shows the suggested values for Maximum Delay for three common use cases:
Maximum Delay
Case 1: Highest Quality, Highest Latency
3000
Case 2: Good Quality, Standard Latency
2000
Case 3: Normal Quality, Lowest Latency
100
Figure 23 Tuning for Various Use Cases
RTP offers lower latency than UDP, so for the lowest latency you should use RTP.
If you are streaming to VLC, you can reduce latency on the decode side by adjusting the network caching
value. By default, this is set to 1000ms. You can lower this to as low as 200ms. To do this, go to the
following:
VLC →Tools →Preferences →Show Settings (ALL) →Input / Codecs →Network caching (ms)