Z3 Technology Z3-DM8168-PCI-RPS User manual

User Instructions
PCIe H.264 HD Video Daughter Card
PCIe Starter Kit System
Model Name: Z3-DM8168-PCI-RPS (RDK)
DOC-USR-0057-02
Manual Version 2.04.00 RDK
Software Version 2.04.00 RDK
March 24, 2015
Before attempting to connect or operate this product, please read these instructions carefully and save the manual
for future use.
© Copyright Z3 Technology, LLC. 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
0.00.05
08/24/15
Original Document
RC
2.04.00
03/24/15
Updated document for new release. Added Quick Start Guide, Running
the Encoder/Decoder, Summary of Options, PCI express information,
updated formatting
RC

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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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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 GENERAL DESCRIPTION..............................................................................................7
2.0 QUICK START GUIDE ............................................................................................... 10
2.1 If You Have Received a System from Z3 with the Software Preloaded................................. 10
2.2 If You Already Have a System from Z3 and Need to Update the Firmware............................ 10
2.3 If You are Ready to Start Development..................................................................... 10
3.0 INCLUDED PARTS LIST ............................................................................................. 11
4.0 FEATURES ........................................................................................................... 11
4.1 Supported Input Resolutions ................................................................................. 11
4.2 Supported Output Resolutions ............................................................................... 11
5.0 UNTARRING AND BUILDING THE SAMPLE CODE................................................................. 12
5.1 Preparing the Linux Environment ........................................................................... 12
5.2 Making the Directories and Running the Make Script..................................................... 12
6.0 CODE OVERVIEW ................................................................................................... 14
6.1 The z3apps/rdk Directory .................................................................................... 14
6.2 Z3 Application Overview...................................................................................... 15
6.3 RDK Documentation ........................................................................................... 16
7.0 RUNNING THE ENCODER .......................................................................................... 19
7.1 Set up the HD Source ......................................................................................... 19
7.2 Connect and Power Up the Z3-DM8168-PCI-RPS........................................................... 19
7.3 Set up the Terminal Window ................................................................................. 20
7.4 Power on the Board ........................................................................................... 21
7.5 Ensure your PC has a Proper IP Address .................................................................... 22
7.6 Run the Web Interface to Configure CH1 .................................................................. 22
7.7 Run VLC to View Stream ...................................................................................... 24
7.8 Streaming RTP ................................................................................................. 25
7.9 Changing the Bitrate Dynamically........................................................................... 27
7.10 Adjusting the UDP TS Rate ................................................................................... 29
7.11 Tuning for Latency............................................................................................. 31
7.12 Running DHCP .................................................................................................. 32
7.13 Using the “Aux TS File” Option.............................................................................. 36
8.0 RUNNING THE DECODER .......................................................................................... 37
8.1 Create a .ts File using the Encoder ......................................................................... 37
8.2 Connect the Output ........................................................................................... 37
8.3 Set Decoder Mode ............................................................................................. 38
8.4Configure Decoder............................................................................................. 39

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9.0 RUNNING THE CODE YOU BUILT ON THE BOARD............................................................... 40
9.1 Method 1: Updating the Image File ........................................................................ 40
9.2 Method 2: Running Your Code through TFTP/NFS ........................................................ 42
9.3 Other Available u-boot Commands .......................................................................... 46
10.0 EXERCISING OTHER FEATURES ................................................................................... 47
10.1 Saving Settings ................................................................................................. 47
10.2 Using the Password Feature.................................................................................. 47
10.3 Running the Command Line Interfaces ..................................................................... 48
11.0 THE PCI EXPRESS INTERFACE ..................................................................................... 49
11.1 PCIe Lanes and Slots .......................................................................................... 49
11.2 PCIe BIOS on the PC ........................................................................................... 49
11.3 The DM816x-MOD-3x PCIe Hardware........................................................................ 50
12.0 SUMMARY OF OPTIONS ............................................................................................ 51
12.1 The System Setup Tab......................................................................................... 51
12.2 The User Presets Tab .......................................................................................... 52
12.3 The Status Tab ................................................................................................. 53
12.4 The MPTS Tab .................................................................................................. 54
12.5 The CH1/CH2 Tab (Encode) .................................................................................. 54
12.6 The CH1/CH2 Tab (Decode) .................................................................................. 59
12.7 Values Appearing at the Bottom of All Tabs................................................................ 60
APPENDIX A: Example of Successful Boot Log ........................................................................ 61
APPENDIX B: Troubleshooting ........................................................................................... 71

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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 The Z3-DM8168-APP-2x..........................................................................................7
Figure 2 The Z3-DM8168-MOD-3x.........................................................................................8
Figure 3 Z3-DM8168-PCI-RPS Block Diagram ............................................................................9
Figure 4 Sample Content of Images Directory after Successful Build ............................................. 13
Figure 5 Connecting the Z3-DM8168-PCI-RPS for Encode ........................................................... 19
Figure 6 Z3-DM8168-PCI-RPS Serial Menu ............................................................................. 21
Figure 7 Z3-DM8168-RPS Web GUI (System Setup Page) ............................................................ 22
Figure 8 Channel 1 Configuration Screen –UDP...................................................................... 23
Figure 9 VLC Open Network Screen for UDP.......................................................................... 24
Figure 10 Example of Z3 Video Streaming to VLC (UDP)............................................................ 24
Figure 11 Channel 1 Configuration Screen –RTP..................................................................... 25
Figure 12 VLC File Open Screen ........................................................................................ 26
Figure 13 Example of Z3 Video Streaming to VLC (RTP) ............................................................ 26
Figure 14 Viewing Bitrate in VLC ....................................................................................... 27
Figure 15 Changing the Bitrate Dynamically.......................................................................... 27
Figure 16 Drop in Bitrate after Dynamic Bitrate Change ........................................................... 28
Figure 17 Status Page Output Showing Lower Bitrate ............................................................... 28
Figure 18 Changing TS Rate ............................................................................................. 29
Figure 19 TS Rate and Lower Bitrate Reflected in VLC ............................................................. 30
Figure 20 Tuning for Various Use Cases................................................................................ 31
Figure 21 The User Presets Tab ......................................................................................... 32
Figure 22 Entering a User Preset Name ............................................................................... 32
Figure 23 Selecting “z3_config1” within the System Setup Tab ................................................... 33
Figure 24 Setting DHCP within z3_config1 ............................................................................ 33
Figure 25 Saving a User Preset.......................................................................................... 33
Figure 26 Reboot Reminder for Changing IP Settings................................................................ 34
Figure 27 Address Change after DHCP Set ............................................................................ 34
Figure 28 ZFinder with Z3-DM8168-PCI-RPS DHCP Address ......................................................... 35
Figure 29 Selecting Z3-DM8168-PCI-RPS w/ DHCP Address in ZFinder ............................................ 35
Figure 30 Web GUI Using DHCP Address ............................................................................... 35
Figure 31 Using the Aux TS File Enable Option ....................................................................... 36
Figure 32 Connecting the Z3-DM8168-PCI-RPS for Decode ......................................................... 37
Figure 33 Changing to Decoder Mode.................................................................................. 38
Figure 34 System Setup in Decoder Mode............................................................................. 38
Figure 35 Decoder Configuration Settings for Decode Example ................................................... 39

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Figure 36 Updating the Device Firmware from the Web Interface ................................................ 40
Figure 37 Updater Screen ............................................................................................... 41
Figure 38 File Selection Screen......................................................................................... 41
Figure 39 Editing u-boot-env-netra-rdk.txt........................................................................... 43
Figure 40 Minicom Terminal Settings .................................................................................. 44
Figure 41 Example of Successful u-boot Configuration ............................................................. 45
Figure 42 Selecting “Set Password”.................................................................................... 47
Figure 43 Changing the Password ...................................................................................... 47
Figure 44 Password Entry Screen....................................................................................... 48

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1.0 GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Z3-DM8168-PCI-RPS is a set of hardware boards, software tools, and applications designed to enable
the rapid development of media-centric applications. It contains one Z3-DM8168-MOD-3x System on Module
card, one Z3-DM8168-APP-2x application board with PCI Express interface, as well as bundled software
with all of the necessary components for the user to quickly develop their own advanced multimedia,
graphics, and DSP applications.
The Z3-DM8168-APP-2x application board includes one HDMI 1080p60 input, one Component / Analog Audio
input, and one HDMI 1080p60 output. It includes a 2-lane PCIe interface that can plug into a 4-lane or 16-
lane PCIe slot or a 1-lane PCIe slot with open back. This card has been proven on, among other systems, an
ASUS motherboard (model P8H67-M, PRO/CSM, revision 3.0).
In order to make custom hardware and software development easier, the Z3-DM8168-PCI-RPS is designed so
that standalone operation is possible. The system can then be developed and tested independently from
any hosts. This is possible through the DM8168-APP-2x board which contains independent power, serial
console, USB, Ethernet and SATA jacks providing a direct connection to these DM8168 peripherals. Figure 1
below shows the Z3-DM8168-APP-2x and its inputs/outputs.
Figure 1 The Z3-DM8168-APP-2x
HDMI In
On/Off
12V Power
Component/RGB In
HDMI Out
Serial
Ethernet
SATA
USB
89 mm
168 mm

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The Z3-DM816x-MOD-3x is a compact OEM module which supports H.264 High Profile encode/decode at up
to two channels of 1080p at 60 fps (frames per second). The Z3-DM8168-MOD-3x features a unique
expansion interface comprised of five high density connectors providing access to most of the interface
signals available from the DM8168 processor. Figure 2 below shows the Z3-DM8168-MOD-3x System on
Module:
The Z3-DM8168-PCI-RPS software is based on the Linux OS. The kit comes with all of the low-level
resources such as the Linux kernel, u-boot, tool chain and starter file system pre-integrated and
configured. There is no need to port or integrate OS functions, media functions etc. The software bundle
also contains tools to allow the development of high-level applications using hardware-accelerated video
processing, DSP, and graphics. Those customers that license the optional source code package can also
receive source code for Z3’s demonstration applications, providing an ideal starting point for custom
applications.
Additional design services and support are available from Z³ Technology. Please contact Z3 at
http://www.Z3technology.com or e-mail at [e-mail].
Figure 2 The Z3-DM8168-MOD-3x
Serial
68 mm
108 mm
mm

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A block diagram of the Z3-DM8168-PCI-RPS follows:
Figure 3 Z3-DM8168-PCI-RPS Block Diagram

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2.0 QUICK START GUIDE
If You Have Received a System from Z3 with the Software Preloaded
To start working with the encoder, you can skip to Section 7.0, “RUNNING THE ENCODER,”
on page 19. This section describes how to quickly generate a UDP or RTP stream to VLC, how to change
bitrate dynamically, how to adjust the UDP TS rate, how to tune for latency, and how to use DHCP.
Section 8.0, “RUNNING THE DECODER,” on page 37, describes how to use the decoder. If you have any
questions about any GUI parameters you can refer to Section 12.0, “SUMMARY OF OPTIONS,” on page 51.
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 9.1
“Method 1: Updating the Image File ”on page 40.
If You are Ready to Start Development
Details on how to untar and build the code can be found in Section 5.0, UNTARRING AND BUILDING THE
SAMPLE CODE, on page 12. A brief overview of the code itself can be found in Section 6.0, CODE
OVERVIEW, on page 14. Details on how to set up your system to access the code you have built can be
found in Section 9.2, “Method 2: Running Your Code through TFTP/NFS”, on page 42.