Z3 Technology Z3-MVE-20 User manual

User Instructions
Dual Channel H.264 HD Encoder
Z3-MVE-20 Multiformat Video Encoder
Model Name: Z3-MVE-20
DOC-USR-0034-03
Manual Version 1.06.09
Software Version 1.06.09
April 18, 2014
Before attempting to connect or operate this product, please read these
instructions carefully and save the manual for future use.

DOC-USR-0034-03
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Z3 Technology, LLC ♦100 N. 8th St. STE 250 ♦Lincoln, NE 68508-1369 USA ♦+1.402.323.0702
2
Revision History
Version
Date
Change Note
Author
1.02.02
08/29/11
Original System
CH
1.02.06
09/01/11
Firmware Upgrade
CH
1.03.01
11/02/11
Firmware Upgrade, Edited Images
CH
1.06.04
02/13/12
Associated version number with software release version. Added
Troubleshooting section.
CH
1.06.04a
10/10/13
Modified various explanations to add more detail.
MC
1.06.07
01/13/14
Updated screenshots to match release 1.06.07, modified Section 5 to
use “ZFinder”, added Section 5.7 on using DHCP, combined encoder
and decoder parameter summary into 1 section.
RC
1.06.07a
02/27/14
HW Warranty, Temp & Humidity, Video Resolution, and MAC Address
added
MS
1.06.09
04/18/14
Updated screenshots, added RTMP
RC
“Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These
limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates uses and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct
the interference by one or more of the following measures:—Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.—Increase the separation between the
equipment and receiver.—Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.—Consult the
dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.”

DOC-USR-0034-03
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Z3 Technology, LLC ♦100 N. 8th St. STE 250 ♦Lincoln, NE 68508-1369 USA ♦+1.402.323.0702
3
CONTENTS
1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION .............................................................................................. 5
1.1 Preface .............................................................................................................. 5
2.0 INCLUDED PARTS LIST................................................................................................. 6
3.0 FEATURES............................................................................................................... 7
4.0 OPERATING CONTROLS ............................................................................................... 8
5.0 GETTING STARTED AND RUNNING THE Z3-MVE-20 ................................................................ 9
5.1 Setting up the Video Source...................................................................................... 9
5.2 Connecting and powering up the Z3-MVE-20................................................................... 9
5.3 Finding the Z3-MVE-20 on the Network using ZFinder.......................................................10
5.5 Opening a VLC Client to Receive the Encoded Stream ......................................................14
5.6 Streaming RTP.....................................................................................................15
5.7 Using DHCP ........................................................................................................16
5.8 Dynamically changing bit rate / frame rate ..................................................................18
5.9 Streaming RTMP...................................................................................................19
6.0 RUNNING DECODE ON THE Z3-MVE-20 ...............................................................................22
7.0 SUMMARY OF GUI OPTIONS ............................................................................................27
7.1 Encoder Options...................................................................................................27
7.1 Decoder Options ..................................................................................................29
8.0 PERFORMING OTHER OPERATIONS WITH THE Z3-MVE-20 .......................................................31
8.1 Saving Current Settings ..........................................................................................31
8.2 Making a Firmware Update ......................................................................................31
8.2.1 Updating Firmware From Web GUI..........................................................................32
8.2.2 Updating Firmware from an SD Card .......................................................................32
APPENDIX A: CONFIGURING THE WOWZA SERVER FOR RTMP .........................................................34
APPENDIX B: TROUBLESHOOTING .........................................................................................36

DOC-USR-0034-03
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Z3 Technology, LLC ♦100 N. 8th St. STE 250 ♦Lincoln, NE 68508-1369 USA ♦+1.402.323.0702
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Parts Included with the Z3-MVE-20 .......................................................................... 6
Figure 2 Z3-MVE-20 Front View.......................................................................................... 8
Figure 3 Z3-MVE-20 Rear View........................................................................................... 8
Figure 4 Z3-MVE-20 Rear Panel Connections.......................................................................... 9
Figure 5 Z3-MVE-20 Power Switch and Status Light ................................................................10
Figure 6 ZFinder with Z3-MVE-20 Listed..............................................................................10
Figure 7 ZFinder with Z3-MVE-20 Selected...........................................................................11
Figure 8 The Z3-MVE-20 Web GUI (Top Portion) ....................................................................11
Figure 9 Changes to Encoding Parameters............................................................................12
Figure 10 Z3-MVE-20 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 Example of Z3 Video Streaming to VLC (RTP) ...........................................................15
Figure 14 Using DHCP.....................................................................................................16
Figure 15 Saving “Use DHCP” ...........................................................................................16
Figure 16 New IP Address in ZFinder ..................................................................................17
Figure 17 Web GUI using New IP Address .............................................................................17
Figure 18 Changing Bit Rate on the fly................................................................................18
Figure 19 Settings to Stream RTMP to Wowza .......................................................................20
Figure 20 Getting to the Wowza Test Player.........................................................................21
Figure 21 Viewing Z3-MVE-20 Content in Wowza ...................................................................22
Figure 22 Z3-MVE-20 Connections for Decode.......................................................................23
Figure 23 Z3-MVE-20 Example Encoder Settings for End-to-End Streaming....................................24
Figure 24 ZFinder with both Encoder and Decoder.................................................................25
Figure 25 Z3-MVE-20 Changing to “Decoder” Mode ................................................................25
Figure 26 Z3-MVE-20 Example Decoder Settings for End-to-End Streaming ...................................26
Figure 27 The “Save User Settings” Button ..........................................................................31
Figure 28 The “UPDATE” Button .......................................................................................32
Figure 29 The Update Image Screen...................................................................................32
Figure 30 Wowza Performance Settings ..............................................................................34
Figure 31 Wowza Security Settings ....................................................................................35

DOC-USR-0034-03
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Z3 Technology, LLC ♦100 N. 8th St. STE 250 ♦Lincoln, NE 68508-1369 USA ♦+1.402.323.0702
5
1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1 Preface
The Z3-MVE-20 Multi-Format Video Encoder is a 1 RU rack-mount system capable of processing two channels
of multi-format HD video. The Z3-MVE-20 can encode two channels of H.264 High Profile at up to 1080p at
30 frames per second. It can be configured as a single-channel or dual-channel encoder, offering an
advantage of low power consumption and lower cost per channel compared to a PC system. The Z3-MVE-20
is a cost-effective system suitable for broadcast encoders, video security, satellite uplink, remote
monitoring and industrial applications. The Z3-MVE-20 provides immediate access to multi-format HD video,
integrated system peripherals and production-qualified codecs.
The Z3-MVE-20 features multiple I/O interfaces, including HD-SDI, HDMI, composite, component, ASI and
Ethernet. Multiple interfaces allow customers to quickly integrate full H.264 1080p30 performance into their
network without the power consumption and physical space required of a PC-based platform.

DOC-USR-0034-03
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Z3 Technology, LLC ♦100 N. 8th St. STE 250 ♦Lincoln, NE 68508-1369 USA ♦+1.402.323.0702
6
2.0 INCLUDED PARTS LIST
Z3-MVE-20
AC Power Supply
BNC to BNC Cable x 3
DB9 Serial Cable x 2
RCA to RCA Cable x 2
Figure 1 Parts Included with the Z3-MVE-20

DOC-USR-0034-03
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Z3 Technology, LLC ♦100 N. 8th St. STE 250 ♦Lincoln, NE 68508-1369 USA ♦+1.402.323.0702
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3.0 FEATURES
The Z3-MVE-20 is a dual channel, high definition, low cost, network-enabled media encoder with the
following features:
Two identical and completely independent HD encoders
Each independent HD encoder supports:
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: Ethernet or ASI
Outputs RTP or MPEG-2 Transport Stream
USB 2.0 interface for mass storage devices or other peripherals
SD Card interface for local storage and firmware updates
Web-based configuration software for user-friendly configuration and control
RS232 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: 483mm x 200mm x 44mm
Weight: 2,718g

DOC-USR-0034-03
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Z3 Technology, LLC ♦100 N. 8th St. STE 250 ♦Lincoln, NE 68508-1369 USA ♦+1.402.323.0702
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4.0 OPERATING CONTROLS
FRONT VIEW
REAR VIEW
6Status LED 1
7Status LED 2
8USB
9SD Card
Encoder 2
Encoder 1
2 Status LED 1
3 Status LED 2
4USB
5SD Card
Figure 2 Z3-MVE-20 Front View
Figure 3 Z3-MVE-20 Rear View
1
4
3
2
7
6
5
8
9
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
1 Analog Audio In L
2 Analog Audio In R
3 Composite In
4Component In Y
5ASI/SDI Out
6 Component In Pb
7ASI/SDI In
8 Component In Pr
9HDMI In
10 Serial
11 VGA In
12 Ethernet
13 Analog Audio In L
14 Analog Audio In R
15 Composite In
16 Component In Y
17 ASI/SDI Out
18 Component In Pb
19 ASI/SDI In
20 Component In Pr
21 HDMI In
22 Serial
23 VGA In
24 Ethernet
25 Power In
1 Power Switch
Encoder 2
Encoder 1 / Power

DOC-USR-0034-03
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Z3 Technology, LLC ♦100 N. 8th St. STE 250 ♦Lincoln, NE 68508-1369 USA ♦+1.402.323.0702
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5.0 GETTING STARTED AND RUNNING THE Z3-MVE-20
For these steps, you will need: a computer, a 1080p30/1080i video source, a Z3-MVE-20, a 12V power
supply, an HDMI Cable, and at least one Ethernet cable.
5.1 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-20 “HDMI In” port.
5.2 Connecting and powering up the Z3-MVE-20
(3) Connect an Ethernet cable to “Ethernet” on the Z3-MVE-20 (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-20 and to decode the output
stream.
(4) Connect the power cable (see Figure 4).
Figure 4 Z3-MVE-20 Rear Panel Connections
(1) Connect Video Source
to HDMI In
(3) Connect
Power
(2) Connect
Ethernet

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Z3 Technology, LLC ♦100 N. 8th St. STE 250 ♦Lincoln, NE 68508-1369 USA ♦+1.402.323.0702
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(5) Power on the Z3-MVE-20:
(6) Wait around 1 minute for the “Status” LED to light up.
5.3 Finding the Z3-MVE-20 on the Network using ZFinder
(7) Make sure your Windows PC is connected to the same network in which the Z3-MVE-20 is connected to.
(8) Run the “ZFinder” PC Utility on your Windows PC. The ZFinder window appears. ZFinder does a scan of
the network and lists the location of all Z3 systems connected to the network. In this case, the Z3-MVE-
20 appears:
Figure 6 ZFinder with Z3-MVE-20 Listed
(1) Turn on PWR
(2) Status lights up after around 1 minute
Figure 5 Z3-MVE-20 Power Switch and Status Light

DOC-USR-0034-03
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Z3 Technology, LLC ♦100 N. 8th St. STE 250 ♦Lincoln, NE 68508-1369 USA ♦+1.402.323.0702
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(9) Click on the Z3-MVE-20 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-20. You can also flash the LEDs on the Z3-MVE-20 by clicking “Flash Leds” (useful if there are
multiple Z3-MVE-20’s connected). Click on “Open Device.” An Internet browser window is opened
(default browser used is Firefox) and the Web GUI appears:
Figure 8 The Z3-MVE-20 Web GUI (Top Portion)
Figure 7 ZFinder with Z3-MVE-20 Selected

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Z3 Technology, LLC ♦100 N. 8th St. STE 250 ♦Lincoln, NE 68508-1369 USA ♦+1.402.323.0702
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(11) Now that you have reached the GUI, you are ready to modify the settings for the encode that you want
to do. Change “Video Source” to “HDMI”, make sure “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:
(2) Make sure “Output
Interface” is set to
“Ethernet(VBR)”
(1) Change “Video Source”
to “HDMI”
(3) Change “Output
Format” to “MPEG-2 TS”
(4) Set “Dest IP Address” to
225.1.2.3
(5) Set “Dest Port” to 8888
Figure 9 Changes to Encoding Parameters

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Z3 Technology, LLC ♦100 N. 8th St. STE 250 ♦Lincoln, NE 68508-1369 USA ♦+1.402.323.0702
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(12) The encoder may have already started. If it has, click on “stop”. 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-20 Web Menu –Start/Stop/Status Section

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Z3 Technology, LLC ♦100 N. 8th St. STE 250 ♦Lincoln, NE 68508-1369 USA ♦+1.402.323.0702
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5.5 Opening a VLC Client to Receive the Encoded Stream
(13) Run VLC on your PC (version used in testing at Z3: 2.05. Any version after 1.1 should be ok.)
(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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Z3 Technology, LLC ♦100 N. 8th St. STE 250 ♦Lincoln, NE 68508-1369 USA ♦+1.402.323.0702
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5.6 Streaming RTP
Once you have UDP streaming running, it is relatively simple to change to RTP streaming. All that is needed
are a change of settings and an SDP file (an example file is provided with the software release from Z3). To
stream using RTP, do the following steps:
(17) Click on “Stop Encoder” to stop the current encoding session.
(18) Make sure “Output Interface” is “Ethernet (VBR)” (see Figure 9).
(19) Change “Output Format” from “MPEG-2 TS” to “RTP” (see Figure 9)(Note: Do not select “MPEG-TS
over RTP”).
(20) Confirm that “Dest Port” (see Figure 9) is 8888 (this will be important for the VLC configuration).
(21) Click on “Start Encoder” to start the RTP encoding session.
(22) Copy the file “z3-dm368.sdp” received from Z3 to your PC.
(23) Open VLC. Select “Media – Open File” and select the “z3-dm368.sdp” file you just copied.
(24) You should then see RTP video streaming on VLC:
Figure 13 Example of Z3 Video Streaming to VLC (RTP)

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Z3 Technology, LLC ♦100 N. 8th St. STE 250 ♦Lincoln, NE 68508-1369 USA ♦+1.402.323.0702
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5.7 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
Local IP Address, Local Netmask, and Default Gateway will gray out:
(26) Click on “Save User”. Wait for “Saved All to User” message to appear:
(27) Power off the Z3-MVE-20.
(1) Click “Save User”
(2) Wait for “Saved all to User” to appear in status
Figure 15 Saving “Use DHCP”
Figure 14 Using DHCP
(1) Check “use
DHCP”
(2) Values gray out

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Z3 Technology, LLC ♦100 N. 8th St. STE 250 ♦Lincoln, NE 68508-1369 USA ♦+1.402.323.0702
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(28) Power back on the Z3-MVE-20.Wait about one minute for the “ready” LED to turn on.
(29) Click “Refresh” on ZFinder. The Z3-MVE-20 should appear with a new IP address based on what it
received through DHCP:
(30) As you did previously, select the Z3-MVE-20 row and then click “Open Device.” A browser will then
appear with the GUI, this time using the new IP address:
Figure 16 New IP Address in ZFinder
(1) Click “Refresh”
(2) New IP Address appears
Figure 17 Web GUI using New IP Address
New IP Address

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Z3 Technology, LLC ♦100 N. 8th St. STE 250 ♦Lincoln, NE 68508-1369 USA ♦+1.402.323.0702
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5.8 Dynamically changing bit rate / frame rate
It is possible to change two parameters in the middle of an encoding session:
(1) Video Bit rate
(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.
(1) Change bit rate
(2) Click “Start Encoder”
(3) “Changed rate” appears in Status area
Figure 18 Changing Bit Rate on the fly

DOC-USR-0034-03
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Z3 Technology, LLC ♦100 N. 8th St. STE 250 ♦Lincoln, NE 68508-1369 USA ♦+1.402.323.0702
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5.9 Streaming RTMP
The Z3-MVE-20 also supports streaming RTMP to servers such as Wowza and ustream. The steps for doing so
are as follows [Wowza shown here]:
(1) Follow steps (1)-(10) earlier in this section to connect the Z3-MVE-20 for encode and bring up the Web
GUI.
(2) If using Wowza, install the Wowza server on a PC on your network (for details on configuring Wowza,
please see Appendix A).
(3) In the Encoder Web GUI, set “Output Interface” to “Ethernet (VBR)”.
(4) Set “Output Format” to “RTMP”. This will cause “Dest IP Address” and “Dest Path” to appear.
(5) In “Dest IP Address”, type the IP address of the PC with the Wowza server (in this example, it is
“10.1.10.251.”).
(6) In “Dest Path”, type “/live/1080”.
(7) Set the resolution to “1080i” (or to the preferred resolution you want to stream to Wowza).
After finishing steps (1)-(7), the GUI should look like the following:

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Z3 Technology, LLC ♦100 N. 8th St. STE 250 ♦Lincoln, NE 68508-1369 USA ♦+1.402.323.0702
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(1) Set to “Ethernet (VBR)”
(2) Set to “RTMP”
(3) Set to IP Address of Wowza Server
(4) Set to “/live/1080”
(5) Set to “1080i” or “Follow input”
Figure 19 Settings to Stream RTMP to Wowza