VENICE Administration and Configuration User Guide (Version 1.
VENICE Administration and Configuration User Guide Introduction 1 Server Setup 2 Client Software Installation 3 Client Software Configuration 4 Server Administration 5 Appendix A Index I
User Guide Version 1.5 for the VENICE Server and the VENICE Software Version 1.5 Copyright © 2010 by DVS Digital Video Systems AG, Hanover. All rights reserved. The manuals as well as the soft- and/or hardware described here and all their constituent parts are protected by copyright. Without the express permission of DVS Digital Video Systems AG any form of use which goes beyond the narrow bounds prescribed by copyright legislation is prohibited and liable to prosecution.
Headquarters: DVS Digital Video Systems AG Krepenstr. 8 30165 Hannover GERMANY Phone: +49-511-67807-0 Fax: +49-511-630070 E-mail: info@dvs.de Internet: http://www.dvs.de Support: Phone: +49-511-67807-125 Fax: +49-511-371985 E-mail: support@dvs.de For the Americas: U.S. Headquarters: DVS Digital Video, Inc. 300 East Magnolia Boulevard, Suite 102 Burbank, CA 91502 USA Phone: +1-818-846-3600 Fax: +1-818-846-3648 E-mail: info@dvsus.com Internet: http://www.dvsus.
Contents 1 Introduction ............................................................................... 1-1 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 2 C Overview ............................................................................. 1-2 Target Group ........................................................................ 1-3 Conventions Used in this User Guide .................................... 1-3 System Requirements ........................................................... 1-5 Important Notes .................
VENICE Administration and Configuration User Guide 4.2 General Configurations ......................................................... 4-2 4.2.1 Gang Settings ............................................................. 4-3 4.2.2 In, Out, Duration Settings ............................................ 4-4 4.2.3 Proxy Generation Settings ............................................ 4-5 4.2.4 Remote VTR/HDR Settings ........................................... 4-6 4.2.5 Still Mode Settings ..................
Introduction 1 This document describes how to administer and configure the VENICE server and its software. VENICE is a highly flexible server system for the capturing and play-out of audio and video content. Especially designed for broadcast workflows, it provides multiple independent channels and supports natively the most common compressed formats. With VENICE you can easily capture live content, e.g.
VENICE Administration and Configuration User Guide 1.1 Overview This user guide informs you about how to administer and configure the VENICE server and its software. The chapters in this user guide contain the following information: 1-2 Chapter 1 Begins with a short introduction to VENICE and its software, followed by a note regarding the audience this manual is written for and an explanation of the conventions used in this manual.
Introduction 1.2 Target Group This manual is intended for the system administrator charged with the task to set up and administer the VENICE server and to install the VENICE client software on network clients. For this you should know how to handle computer equipment and have experience as a system and network administrator. Additionally, this manual is intended for personnel that should be able to configure the VENICE client software.
VENICE Administration and Configuration User Guide Entry [Key] Indicates parameters or variables, as well as selections or entries made in a program; it may also indicate a command (e.g. at a command line), a syntax or contents of a file/output An individual key or a key combination on a keyboard Keyboard Shortcuts To perform options or procedures with the keyboard often requires a simultaneous pressing of two keys.
Introduction 1.
VENICE Administration and Configuration User Guide 1.5 Important Notes To use VENICE correctly please heed the following: On the DVS system only use the designated video drive (main storage) to store video and audio data. Other storage locations will be too slow for real-time operations. Leave about 15 % of the overall main storage capacity empty of data for real-time performance reasons. The real-time capability of the DVS system depends to a large extent on the performance of the system’s hardware.
Server Setup 2 This chapter details information how to setup the VENICE server. First some background information regarding the setup concept and structure of VENICE and its software are given, followed by information how to set up the system, for example, when using it as a video server in a network, and information about the main storage of the server. The chapter will be concluded with a description about the multi-device operation (gang) mode of the VENICE system.
VENICE Administration and Configuration User Guide 2.1 Setup Concept and Structure of VENICE This section provides some general information about the setup concept and structure of the VENICE server and its software to familiarize you with it and the way it operates.
Server Setup Video Boards and Driver The PCI video boards and their driver provide the functionality of the system for its usage as a video server. The PCI video board driver controls the installed DVS video boards (video channels) and thus the inand output of video and/or audio signals. Furthermore, it enables the slave/master mode, where the respective video channel of VENICE can either be controlled by or controls an externally connected player or recorder via RS-422.
VENICE Administration and Configuration User Guide to retrieve data and gather information about them locally as well as via a network (SpycerNet). Additionally, it can be used to preview clips. On the VENICE server the Spycer application is already installed, providing the full feature set. On client systems it must be installed separately. Furthermore, for the full feature set a license must be available, otherwise it will run as Spycer Basic (providing basic features only).
Server Setup 2.2 IP Address Configuration After installing the hardware of VENICE as described in its hardware guide, you may want to configure the server’s IP address to connect it to your local network. Ex factory the VENICE server is already preconfigured for a network usage and with this can be used immediately. However, in case you want to alter the configuration to adapt it to your local network, you can configure it easily.
VENICE Administration and Configuration User Guide 1. 2. 3. You have to change the IP address of the respective network port. You have to set the IP address for the VENICE server software and restart it. You have to change the IP address in the Spycer software. These steps are described in the following.
Server Setup Setting the IP Address of the Spycer Software To get the full functionality for the DVS system the Spycer software is already installed. When changing the IP address of the network port it should be configured correctly as well. For this start the Spycer software on the VENICE server and make sure that it is set to the following: When the Spycer software is started for the first time, the initial setup of the application may be launched.
VENICE Administration and Configuration User Guide 2.4 Multi-device Operation Mode (Gang) The VENICE server provides a multi-device operation mode which allows for a simultaneous control of several video channels of one or more VENICE servers. In the multi-device operation mode one video channel is the master that is controlled via the slave mode control window of the VENICE client software. All other channels are slaves that follow the commands of the master device.
Server Setup Synchronizing via an External Sync Generator An external sync generator synchronizes all connected devices. To integrate it in the multi-device setup perform the following: y Connect all video channels with their sync inputs to the external sync generator. y If appropriate, alter the sync settings of all connected channels via their sync settings (see section “Sync Settings” on page 4-9). Once the external sync generator is active, the synchronization will take place.
VENICE Administration and Configuration User Guide – On all systems the same operation mode of the VENICE client software must be running. – The content that is displayed may be different according to the material that is loaded in each VENICE client software. – Static settings cannot be transmitted by the master channel and have to be set for on each one individually, such as video raster and format, sync source, sync output, or the essences that should be used for the operation.
Client Software Installation 3 This chapter describes how to install the VENICE client software on a client system for a remote control of the VENICE server. With this you can place the hardware of VENICE at any location you like and still have full control over it. The installation will be described for each supported operating system separately. 1 2 3.
VENICE Administration and Configuration User Guide 3.2 Installing under Linux The installation routine of the VENICE client software for a Linux operating system is a single RPM package file. Usually, it can be found on the enclosed CD-ROM. To install the VENICE client software on a Linux operating system perform the following: y If applicable, open a command line (terminal) and log on to the system as root.
Client Software Installation This installs all necessary files and libraries of the DVS software on the computer system. Afterwards the installation of the software is complete and it can be started at any time with a normal user account. 3.4 Installing under Windows The installation routine of the VENICE client software for the Windows operating system is a single executable file. Usually, it can be found on the enclosed CD-ROM.
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Client Software Configuration 4 A VENICE client software can be (pre)configured for various tasks. This chapter provides first a note about this. Then, the general configuration settings that can be made in the software are explained. 1 4.1 Preconfiguring the VENICE Client Software The VENICE client software can be preconfigured for often recurring tasks so that operators are not required to do this time and again during their work.
VENICE Administration and Configuration User Guide 4.2 General Configurations Via the menu option Configuration… of the menu Options several general configurations for the VENICE server can be set. It opens the following window: Figure 4-1: The general configurations The available configurations can be found to the left. Once an entry is selected, the settings sorted under it will be shown in the settings pane to the right. Then they can be adjusted.
Client Software Configuration 4.2.1 Gang Settings With the Gang settings you can set the VENICE server into a multidevice operation mode. Figure 4-2: Gang settings 2 It provides the following items: Multi-device mode Sets the multi-device role for the connected channel, i.e. whether it should act as slave or master. For the slave role you can also select timecode chasing. Timecode chase offset 1 If for the slave role a timecode chasing has been selected, this entry field will be available.
VENICE Administration and Configuration User Guide 4.2.2 In, Out, Duration Settings With the In, Out, Duration settings you determine whether the inpoint or outpoint should be changed when altering a duration setting. Figure 4-3: In, Out, Duration settings It provides the following items: 4-4 Recalculate the In-point when… The inpoint is changed when a duration setting is altered in the VENICE client software.
Client Software Configuration 4.2.3 Proxy Generation Settings The Proxy generation settings allow you to simultaneously create proxies during a record with the VENICE server. A proxy is a downscaled version of the original material that can be used, for example, for offline editing on other systems to enable previews of the video material in real-time.
VENICE Administration and Configuration User Guide 4.2.4 Remote VTR/HDR Settings The Remote VTR/HDR settings can be used to adapt the behavior of the currently connected video channel of the VENICE server to a certain type of VTR/HDR. Then the video channel will observe the settings when controlling the external device. Figure 4-5: Remote VTR/HDR settings It provides the following items: 4-6 combo box Lists already configured external device profiles.
Client Software Configuration Autoedit protocol Sets the autoedit behavior that is supported by the external device. When Autoedit is selected, the edit-on/off commands are performed by the device automatically (recommended setting). With Edit On/Off selected the VENICE server sends out the edit-on/off commands explicitly (for older VTRs). DDR mode When activated, the VENICE server sends out standard goto commands.
VENICE Administration and Configuration User Guide 4.2.5 Still Mode Settings With the Still mode settings you can determine what to give out when a timeline has been played fully and the play-out stops. Figure 4-6: Still mode settings It provides separate settings for the different items that can be played out in the playout mode of the VENICE client software: – Single item – Playlist – Back-to-back play-out for a playlist Select for each what should be given out when the play-out ends.
Client Software Configuration 4.2.6 Sync Settings The Sync settings set the synchronization of in- and output video signals for the connected video channel. Figure 4-7: Sync settings It provides separate settings for the sync reference and the analog output. Sync Reference The sync reference settings set the synchronization of the input thereby determining the sync output: Type H phase Determines the type of sync for the input thereby determining the sync output.
VENICE Administration and Configuration User Guide V phase Adjusts the vertical phase of the sync output signal relative to the input sync signal. The output signals will be altered accordingly, i.e. the time base of the output signals will be generally altered. The value is in lines. Sync Analog The sync analog settings set the synchronization of the analog output: 4-10 Type Determines the type of sync for the analog component signal (RGB).
Client Software Configuration 4.2.7 VDCP Settings With the VDCP settings you set the location of the material that the video channel should output when controlled in slave mode via VDCP. Figure 4-8: VDCP settings 2 It provides the following settings items: Output path 1 Enter in this field the output path where the video material is located that should be output by the VENICE server when controlled in slave mode via VDCP.
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Server Administration 5 This chapter explains how to administer the VENICE server. It will be described, for example, how to update the software on the system and the various tools that are available for an administration. 1 5.1 Updating the Software on the VENICE Server During the service life of the VENICE server you may be required to update its software. The update will be performed with the standard RPM installation package for VENICE.
VENICE Administration and Configuration User Guide Figure 5-1: Starting screen of the DVS Web Utility To access the DVS Web Utility from a client station enter in the web browser https:// (i.e. SSL encryption at port 443). With the DVS Web Utility you can change the configurations of the DVS system (e.g. its IP address and the IP address set for the VENICE server software). Click on the respective item to the left to view and change the configurations.
Server Administration – After altering one of its configuration files (e.g. Service.conf, see section “Changing the IP Address” on page 2-5). – To force a disconnection/freeing of a video channel. – In case of a lost connection to a channel which cannot be explained otherwise. The VENICE script is located in the path /etc/init.de/. To execute, for example, the restart command enter (from any location) /etc/ init.de/venice restart. Syntax: Remarks: venice [<#channel no.
VENICE Administration and Configuration User Guide AvusLog1 AvusLog2 --outdir /home/venice/Desktop/ log/. Syntax: logwatch
A Appendix This chapter provides further details about the system, for example, about the RS-422 control of the VENICE server. 1 A.1 RS-422 Control The VENICE server provides one remote control port for each channel. Its direction (In/Out, i.e. its pin-out) is determined by the selected RS-422 mode in the VENICE client software. For slave mode the DVS system supports the RS-422 9-pin control protocol and VDCP. When acting as a master, the DVS system uses the RS-422 9-pin control protocol.
VENICE Administration and Configuration User Guide A.2 Supported VDCP Commands The VENICE server can be remotely controlled via VDCP. The following VDCP commands are supported by VENICE: Command CMD-1 CMD-2 Description Return CMD-1 CMD-2 Description 10 00 Stop 04 ACK 10 01 Play 04 ACK 10 04 Still 04 ACK 10 05 Step 04 ACK 10 06 Continue 04 ACK 10 07 Jog 04 ACK 10 08 Vari.
I Index A-C back-to-back ................................. 4-8 button Autodetect ............................... 4-6 New VTR/HDR ......................... 4-7 Remove ................................... 4-7 Reset to default ........................ 4-2 capacity (storage) ........................... 1-6 changing inpoint/outpoint ............... 4-4 chapter overview ............................ 1-2 client installation ..................... 2-3, 3-1 Spycer ..............................
VENICE Administration and Configuration User Guide network setup .........................2-2, 2-5 delivery status .......................... 2-5 notes ............................................ 1-6 multi-device operation ............... 2-9 preconfiguration ....................... 4-1 Spycer ..................................... 3-1 operating system ............................ 1-5 outpoint ........................................ 4-4 overview of chapters .......................
Index VENICE ......................................... 1-1 configuration ........................... 4-2 initial setup .............................. 2-5 server software ......................... 2-3 setup concept ........................... 2-2 structure .................................. 2-2 video channel ........................... 2-3 VENICE client software ................... 2-3 installation ............................... 3-1 on client ........................... 2-3, 3-1 Spycer ....................
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