Z3 Technology Z3-MVE-10 User manual

User Instructions
H.264 HD Video Encoder
Model Name: Z3-MVE-10
The Power of ZEUS™
DOC-USR-0080-01
Manual Version 1.00.00
September 15, 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 the prior written approval of an
authorized representative of Z3.
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
1.00.00
09/02/15
Original release
KA

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Z3 Technology, LLC ♦100 N. 8th St. STE 250 ♦Lincoln, NE 68508-1369 USA ♦+1.402.323.0702
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 Encoder Resolutions ..................................................................................... 7
4.2 Supported Decode Resolutions ...................................................................................... 7
5.0 OPERATING CONTROLS.................................................................................................. 8
6.0 GETTING STARTED AND RUNNING THE Z3-MVE-10 .................................................................. 9
6.1 Setting up the Video Source......................................................................................... 9
6.2 Connecting and Powering up the Z3-MVE-10 ..................................................................... 9
6.3 Finding the Z3-MVE-10 on the Network using ZFinder..........................................................10
6.4 Opening a VLC Client to Receive the Encoded Stream .........................................................14
6.5 Streaming RTP........................................................................................................15
6.6 Using DHCP............................................................................................................17
6.7 Dynamically Changing Bitrate/ Frame Rate......................................................................19
6.8 Tuning for Latency...................................................................................................20
6.9 Streaming RTMP......................................................................................................21
6.10 Encoding Closed Caption Data ....................................................................................25
7.0 RUNNING DECODE ON THE Z3-MVE-10 ...............................................................................27
8.0 PERFORMING OTHER OPERATIONS WITH THE Z3-MVE-10 .........................................................31
8.1 Saving Current Settings .............................................................................................31
8.2 Making a Firmware Update .........................................................................................32
8.2.1 Updating Firmware from the Web GUI.......................................................................32
8.2.2 Updating Firmware from an SD Card.........................................................................33
8.3 Using the Password Feature ........................................................................................34
9.0 SUMMARY OF GUI OPTIONS ............................................................................................35
9.1 Options in Both the Encoder and Decoder .......................................................................35
9.2 Encoder Options......................................................................................................35
9.3 Decoder Options .....................................................................................................38
APPENDIX A: Configuring the Wowza Server for RTMP .................................................................39
APPENDIX B: Installing Ear Rack Mounts on the Z3-MVE-10 ...........................................................41
APPENDIX C: Troubleshooting .............................................................................................42

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Z3 Technology, LLC ♦100 N. 8th St. STE 250 ♦Lincoln, NE 68508-1369 USA ♦+1.402.323.0702
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Parts Included with the Z3-MVE-10............................................................................. 6
Figure 2 Z3-MVE-10 Front View............................................................................................ 8
Figure 3 Z3-MVE-10 Rear View............................................................................................. 8
Figure 4 Z3-MVE-10 Rear Panel Connections ............................................................................ 9
Figure 5 Z3-MVE-10 Power Switch and Status Light ...................................................................10
Figure 6 ZFinder with Z3-MVE-10 Listed ................................................................................10
Figure 7 ZFinder with Z3-MVE-10 Selected .............................................................................11
Figure 8 The Z3-MVE-10 Web GUI (Top Portion) .......................................................................11
Figure 9 Changes to Encoding Parameters ..............................................................................12
Figure 10 Z3-MVE-10 Web Menu –Start/Stop/Status Section ........................................................13
Figure 11 VLC Open Network Screen ....................................................................................14
Figure 12 Example of Z3 Video Streaming to VLC (UDP/TS)..........................................................14
Figure 13 Changes to Encoding Parameters for RTP Encode .........................................................15
Figure 14 Entering RTSP URL into VLC...................................................................................16
Figure 15 Example of Z3 Video Streaming to VLC (RTP) ..............................................................16
Figure 16 Using DHCP ......................................................................................................17
Figure 17 Saving “Use DHCP” .............................................................................................17
Figure 18 New IP Address in ZFinder ....................................................................................18
Figure 19 Web GUI using New IP Address ...............................................................................18
Figure 20 Changing Bitrate on the Fly ...................................................................................19
Figure 21 Tuning for Various Use Cases .................................................................................20
Figure 22 Settings to Stream RTMP to Wowza..........................................................................22
Figure 23 Getting to the Wowza Test Player ...........................................................................23
Figure 24 Viewing Z3-MVE-10 Content in Wowza ......................................................................24
Figure 25 Connections for Closed Caption Extraction .................................................................25
Figure 26 Sample Encoder Settings for Closed Caption Extraction ..................................................25
Figure 27 Setting VLC to use the Extracted Closed Caption Data ...................................................26
Figure 28 Z3-MVE-10 Connections for Decode..........................................................................27
Figure 29 Z3-MVE-10 Example Encoder Settings for End-to-End Streaming ........................................28
Figure 30 ZFinder with both Encoder and Decoder ....................................................................29
Figure 31 Z3-MVE-10 Changing to “Decoder” Mode ...................................................................29
Figure 32 Z3-MVE-10 Example Decoder Settings for End-to-End Streaming........................................30
Figure 33 The “Save User Settings” Button .............................................................................31
Figure 34 The “UPDATE” Button .........................................................................................32
Figure 35 The Update Image Screen .....................................................................................32
Figure 36 The “set pass” Button .........................................................................................34
Figure 37 Setting the Password...........................................................................................34
Figure 38 Entering the Password .........................................................................................34
Figure 39 Wowza Performance Settings.................................................................................39
Figure 40 Wowza Security Settings ......................................................................................40
Figure 41 Z3-MVE-10 with Ear Rack Brackets...........................................................................41

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Z3 Technology, LLC ♦100 N. 8th St. STE 250 ♦Lincoln, NE 68508-1369 USA ♦+1.402.323.0702
1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1 Preface
The Z3-MVE-10 Multi-Format Video Encoder is a 1RU rack-mount system capable of processing multi-
format H.264 High Profile video up to 1080p at 30 frames per second. The Z3-MVE-10 is a cost-effective
system suitable for broadcast encoders and IP streaming. The Z3-MVE-10 provides immediate access to
multi-format HD video, integrated system peripherals and production-qualified codecs.
The Z3-MVE-10 features multiple I/O interfaces, including HD-SDI, HDMI, composite, component, ASI and
Ethernet. Multiple interfaces allow customers to quickly integrate full H.264 1080p performance in their
network without the power consumption and physical space required of a PC-based platform.
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-MVE-10,” on page 9. A summary of each parameter that can be configured in the GUI is given in
Section 9.0, “SUMMARY OF GUI OPTIONS,” on page 35.
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 8.2,
“Making a Firmware Update,” on page 32.

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Z3 Technology, LLC ♦100 N. 8th St. STE 250 ♦Lincoln, NE 68508-1369 USA ♦+1.402.323.0702
Figure 1 Parts Included with the Z3-MVE-10
3.0 INCLUDED PARTS LIST
Z3-MVE-10
AC Power Supply
3x BNC to BNC Cable
1x DB9 Serial Cable
1x RCA to RCA Cable
Ear Rack Brackets x 2
4 mm (L) x 3 mm (D) Screws x 6

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Z3 Technology, LLC ♦100 N. 8th St. STE 250 ♦Lincoln, NE 68508-1369 USA ♦+1.402.323.0702
4.0 FEATURES
The Z3-MVE-10 is a single channel, high definition, low cost, network-enabled media encoder featuring:
Resolutions up to 1920x1080, including 1080i, 1080p30 and 720p60
H.264 and MPEG-2
Video and audio decoding
Standard Definition encoding for ISDB-T, DVB-H, and other standards
SD/HD-SDI, HDMI/DVI, Component, Composite, VGA Inputs (Optional ASI input)
Video input resizer supports many standard resolutions
Video Output Interfaces: SDI, Ethernet or ASI
Outputs RTP, RTMP or MPEG-2 Transport Stream
USB 2.0 interface for mass storage devices or other peripherals
Supports extraction of closed caption data from composite input or SDI input
SD Card interface for local storage and firmware updates
Web-based configuration software for user-friendly configuration and control
RS-232 serial port for configuration and control
Operating: 0 to 40 degrees C at 20-80% relative humidity (non-condensing)
Storage: -40 to 70 degrees C at 20-80% relative humidity (non-condensing)
Measurements: 1RU-430 x 194 x 44 mm (16.93 x 7.64 x 1.81 in)
Weight: 2.35 kg (5.30 lb)
4.1 Supported Encode Resolutions
SDI: 1080p30, 1080i30, 1080i29.97, 1080i25, 720p60, 720p59.94, 720p50, 576i25, 480i30,
and 480i29.97
HDMI: 1080p30, 1080i30, 1080i29.97, 1080i25, 720p60, 720p59.94, 720p50, 576p50, 576i25,
480p60, 480i30, and 480i29.97
Component: 1080p30, 1080i30, 1080i29.97, 1080i25, 720p60, 720p59.94, 720p50, 576p50, 576i25,
480p60, 480i30, and 480i29.97
Composite: 576i25, 480i30, and 480i29.97
VGA: 1280x1024, 800x600
4.2 Supported Decode Resolutions
SDI: 1080p30, 1080i30, 1080i29.97, 1080i25, 720p60, 720p59.94, 720p50, 576i25, 480i30,
and 480i29.97

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Z3 Technology, LLC ♦100 N. 8th St. STE 250 ♦Lincoln, NE 68508-1369 USA ♦+1.402.323.0702
5.0 OPERATING CONTROLS
FRONT VIEW
REAR VIEW
1
3
2
4
5
2Status LED 1
3Status LED 2
4USB
5SD Card
1 Power Switch
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
6 Analog Audio In L
7 Analog Audio In R
8Composite In
9Component In Y
10 ASI/SDI Out
11 Component In Pb
12 ASI/SDI In
13 Component In Pr
14 HDMI In
15 Serial
16 VGA In
17 Ethernet
18 Power In
Figure 2 Z3-MVE-10 Front View
Figure 3 Z3-MVE-10 Rear View

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Z3 Technology, LLC ♦100 N. 8th St. STE 250 ♦Lincoln, NE 68508-1369 USA ♦+1.402.323.0702
6.0 GETTING STARTED AND RUNNING THE Z3-MVE-10
For these steps, you will need: a computer, a 1080p30/1080i video source, a Z3-MVE-10, a power supply, an
HDMI Cable and at least one Ethernet cable.
6.1 Setting up the Video Source
(1) Select an HD source with HDMI non-HDCP output (in Z3’s testing, the Brite-View BV-5005HD is used).
-Power on the HD Source
-Connect an HDMI cable from the HD Source to a monitor
-Set the HD Source to 1080p30 or 1080i output
-Select and begin playback of the content
If you see playback on the monitor, you’ve confirmed the source works.
(2) Move the HDMI cable from the monitor to the Z3-MVE-10 “HDMI In” port.
6.2 Connecting and Powering up the Z3-MVE-10
(3) Connect an Ethernet cable to “Ethernet” on the Z3-MVE-10 (see Figure 4). Connect the other end of
the Ethernet cable directly to a PC. You will use this PC to control the Z3-MVE-10 and to decode the
output stream.
(4) Connect the power cable (see Figure 4).
(1) Connect Video Source
to HDMI In
(3) Connect
Power
(2) Connect
Ethernet
Figure 4 Z3-MVE-10 Rear Panel Connections

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(5) Power on the Z3-MVE-10:
(6) Wait around one minute for the “Status” LED to light up.
6.3 Finding the Z3-MVE-10 on the Network using ZFinder
ZFinder is a PC Utility that allows you to find any Z3 product on your network. If you have not
downloaded this to your computer, you can find it on the flash drive provided with your system.
(7) Verify your Windows PC is connected to the same network the Z3-MVE-10 is connected to.
(8) Run the “ZFinder” PC Utility on your Windows PC. The ZFinder window appears. ZFinder then
completes a scan of the network and lists the location of all Z3 systems connected to the network.
In this case, the Z3-MVE-10 appears:
(1) Turn on PWR
(2) Status lights up after around 1 minute
Figure 5 Z3-MVE-10 Power Switch and Status Light
Figure 6 ZFinder with Z3-MVE-10 Listed

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(9) Click on the Z3-MVE-10 entry in the window to select it. This will cause the “Edit Device,” “Open
Device” and “Flash LEDs” boxes to activate:
(10) By clicking “Edit Device,” you can change the Name, IP Address, Netmask and Gateway address of
the Z3-MVE-10. You can also flash the LEDs on the Z3-MVE-10 by clicking “Flash LEDs” (this is useful
if there are multiple Z3-MVE-10’s connected). Click on “Open Device.” An internet browser window
is opened (default browser used is Firefox) and the Web GUI appears:
Figure 7 ZFinder with Z3-MVE-10 Selected
Figure 8 The Z3-MVE-10 Web GUI (Top Portion)

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(11) Now that you have reached the GUI, you are ready to modify the settings for your encoding
preferences. Change “Video Source” to “HDMI”, confirm “Output Interface” is “Ethernet(VBR)”,
change “Output Format” to “MPEG-2 TS”, change “Dest IP Address” to “225.1.2.3”, and change
“Dest Port” to 8888:
(3) Change “Output
Format” to “MPEG-2 TS”
(4) Set “Dest IP Address” to
225.1.2.3
(2) Confirm “Output
Interface” is set to
“Ethernet(VBR)”
(1) Change “Video Source”
to “HDMI”
(5) Set “Dest Port” to 8888
Figure 9 Changes to Encoding Parameters

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(12) The encoder may have already started. If it has, click on “Stop Encoder.” The status should then
change to “Stopped”. Then click on “Start Encoder”. Once you do this, the status will change. If
the encoder hadn’t started already, simply click on “Start Encoder” and observe the status change:
(2) Status changes to
“Stopped”
(3) Click “Start Encoder”
(1) If necessary, click “Stop Encoder”
Figure 10 Z3-MVE-10 Web Menu –Start/Stop/Status Section

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6.4 Opening a VLC Client to Receive the Encoded Stream
(13) Run VLC on your PC (version used in testing at Z3: 3.0.0. We recommend using Version 1.1 or
higher.)
(14) Select Media- Open Network Stream. In the box, type “udp://@225.1.2.3:8888”.
(15) Press “Enter.”
(16) You should now see video streaming from VLC.
Figure 11 VLC Open Network Screen
Figure 12 Example of Z3 Video Streaming to VLC (UDP/TS)

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6.5 Streaming RTP
Once you have UDP streaming running, it is relatively simple to change to RTP streaming. All that is
needed is a change of settings and an SDP file (an example file is provided with the software release
from Z3). To stream using RTP, complete the following steps:
(17) Click on “Stop Encoder” to stop the current encoding session.
(18) Verify “Output Interface” is “Ethernet (VBR)”.
(19) Change “Output Format” from “MPEG-2 TS” to “RTP”.
*Note: Be sure not to select “MPEG-2 TS over RTP”.
(20) Confirm that “Dest Port” is 8888- This will be important for the VLC configuration.
(21) Click on “Start Encoder” to start the RTP encoding session.
Once you finish, your settings should match the following:
Figure 13 Changes to Encoding Parameters for RTP Encode
(2) Change Output
Interface to
“Ethernet(VBR)”
(3) Change Format to
“RTP”
(1) Click “Stop Encoder”
If encoder was running
(5) Click “Start
Encoder”
(4) Confirm “Dest Port”
is 8888

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(22) Open VLC. Select “Media-Open Network Stream.”
(23) In the “Open Media” box, type “rtsp://192.168.0.65/{name}.mp4”, where “192.168.0.65” is the IP
address of the Z3-MVE-10, and {name} is “z3-1” for unicast streaming, and “z3-1m” for multicast
streaming. For example, for the settings in Figure 13, since “225.1.2.3” is a multicast address, the
value would be “rtsp://192.168.0.65/z3-1m.mp4”:
(24) Click “Play.” You should then see RTP video streaming on VLC:
Figure 15 Example of Z3 Video Streaming to VLC (RTP)
Figure 14 Entering RTSP URL into VLC

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6.6 Using DHCP
This release also supports using DHCP to acquire an IP address at boot-up:
(25) Click the “Use DHCP” check box in the Web GUI. Once it is checked, you will see that the values of
the Local IP Address, Local Netmask and Default Gateway will no longer be editable:
(26) Click on “Save User.” Wait for the “Saved All to User” message to appear:
(27) Power off the Z3-MVE-10.
(28) Power back on the Z3-MVE-10. Wait approximately one minute for the “ready” LED to turn on.
(1) Check “use
DHCP”
(2) Values no
longer editable
Figure 16 Using DHCP
(1) Click “Save User”
(2) Wait for “Saved all to User” to appear in status
Figure 17 Saving “Use DHCP”

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(29) Click “Refresh” on ZFinder. The Z3-MVE-10 should appear with a new IP address based on what it
received through DHCP:
(30) As you did previously, select the Z3-MVE-10 row and then click “Open Device.” A browser will then
appear with the GUI, this time using the new IP address:
(1) Click “Refresh”
(2) New IP Address appears
Figure 18 New IP Address in ZFinder
New IP Address
Figure 19 Web GUI using New IP Address

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6.7 Dynamically Changing Bitrate/ Frame Rate
It is possible to change two parameters in the middle of an encoding session:
(1) Video Bitrate
(2) Frame Decimation
To change these, simply enter the new desired value and then click the “Start Encoder” button.
The web page will respond with the following message:
Status: Changed rate
The video stream will then continue interrupted with the new parameter.
(3) “Changed rate” appears in Status area
(1) Change bitrate
(2) Click “Start Encoder”
Figure 20 Changing Bitrate on the Fly

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6.8 Tuning for Latency
For latency, the key parameter to work with is Video Burst Size.
Video Burst Size 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 150.
Figure 21 shows the suggested values for Video Burst Size for three common use cases:
Video Burst Size
Case 1: Highest Quality, Highest Latency
2000
Case 2: Good Quality, Standard Latency
1000
Case 3: Normal Quality, Lowest Latency
150
Figure 21 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)