User Guide Streaming AV Products VNS 104 Multi-Stream Decoding Software for VN-Matrix® 200 Series and 225 Series 68-2421-01 Rev.
Conventions Used in this Guide In this user guide, the following are used: NOTE: A note draws attention to important information. NOTE: For commands and examples of computer or device responses mentioned in this guide, the character “0” is used for the number zero and “O” represents the capital letter “o.” Computer responses and directory paths that do not have variables are written in the font shown here: Reply from 208.132.180.
Contents Introduction and Installation.............................. 1 About this Guide................................................ 1 Overview of the VNS 104................................... 1 VN-Matrix Device Compatibility......................... 3 System Requirements........................................ 3 VNS 104 Software Installation............................ 4 Before Installing the Software........................ 4 Installing the VNS 104 Software.....................
VNS 104 Multi‑Stream Decoder • Contents iv
Introduction and Installation This section gives an overview of the guide and features of the Extron VNS 104 Multi‑Stream Decoding Software. It also describes the requirements for using the application. Topics that are covered include: • About this Guide • Overview of the VNS 104 • VN-Matrix Device Compatibility • System Requirements • VNS 104 Software Installation About this Guide This guide provides detailed information on how to install and use the VNS 104 Multi‑Stream Decoding Software.
A system license, stored on the VN‑Matrix Enterprise Controller, manages the number of connections that can be made simultaneously. The VNS 104 decoder is ideal for use in monitoring, remote presentation viewing, collaboration, or data visualization. It is also useful as an alternative to hardware‑based PURE3 decoding. The VNS 104 Multi-Stream Software Decoder is controlled by the VN‑Matrix Enterprise Controller.
VN-Matrix Device Compatibility The following table addresses the firmware versions running on compatible VN‑Matrix Series encoders. The VNS 104 is compatible with PURE3 streams that originate from encoders running the specified firmware versions or newer. Device Type Minimum Firmware Version VNM Enterprise Controller 1.05.20 VN-Matrix 200 3.11 VN-Matrix 225 3.11 VN-Matrix 300 4.6.9 VN Recorder 5.2.0 VNR 100 9.2.
VNS 104 Software Installation Before Installing the Software Before starting the VNS 104 installation, the Enterprise Controller must be updated with compatible firmware (see VN-Matrix Device Compatibility on page 3).
• If a previous installation of the VNS 104 software is detected by the install program, the following screen appears (see figure 3). -Select Update to update Extron’s VN-Matrix Multi-stream Decoding Software, -Repair to fix or reinstall, -Remove to delete all. Update Updates your currently installed version. Repair Reinstall all program features installed by the previous setup. Remove Remove all installed features.
6. Read, then accept the terms of the license agreement by clicking on the selection button. Click Next (see figure 5). Figure 5. VNS 104 Software License Agreement Screen 7. On the Destination Folder dialog box (see figure 6): • accept the default destination folder (recommended), or • click Browse to select a different destination folder. Click Next when ready. Figure 6.
8. The VNS 104 software installation begins. A status screen indicates the progress of the installation (see figure 7). Figure 7. Installation Progress 9. When the installation is complete, select Check here... if you want to add a shortcut to the program on your desktop, then click Finish (see figure 8). Figure 8. Completed Installation The software installation is complete.
VNS 104 Configuration This section outlines the steps required to configure the VNS 104 software and connect to the VN‑Matrix Enterprise Controller. Topics that are covered include: • VN‑Matrix Enterprise Controller Licensing • VNS 104 Configuration VN‑Matrix Enterprise Controller Licensing The VN‑Matrix Enterprise Controller must be licensed to allow the VNS 104 to connect. Ensure the controller has the appropriate license checksum and structure present.
VNS 104 Configuration On the first launch of the VNS 104 application, the licensing and setup dialog box opens automatically (see figure 9). Figure 9. VNS 104 Configuration Dialog Box NOTE: When the VNS 104 application is launched the first time in Windows 7 or Windows 8, the application must be run in Administrator mode. To run the application in Administrator mode: 1. Locate, then right-click on the VNS 104 desktop shortcut. 2. Select Run as Administrator.
Device ID and Device Checksum Configuration requires several inputs. Be certain that you have the following items: From the VNS 104 Software Case From the Enterprise Controller (EC) • Device ID • EC IP address • Device checksum • EC port (default: 5432) Enter the Device ID and Device checksum from the software case into the appropriate boxes in the VNS 104 Configuration dialog box (see figure 10).
Network Configuration The VN-Matrix Enterprise Controller IP address and port number are entered in the first two fields (see figure 12). Figure 12. Controller IP Address and Port, Local IP Address and Port Controller IP Address: The Controller IP Address is the IP address of the VN‑Matrix Enterprise Controller that the VNS 104 connects to. Controller Port: The Controller Port number shown in figure 12 (5432) is used by all VN‑Matrix devices to communicate with the Enterprise controller.
Application Configuration To start the VNS 104 decoder each time someone logs on to the host computer, select the Auto Start Application box (see figure 13). Figure 13. Application Configuration If you want a customized splash screen as the software background and the background presented in a viewing window when no streaming media is assigned or available, a bitmap (*.bmp) image of any size may be used. Click the User Defined Splash box. The Splash Image File: field activates.
VNS 104 Operation This section describes the process for decoding content using the VNS 104 Multi‑Stream Decoder. Topics that are covered include: • VNS 104 Multi‑Stream Software Decoder • VNS 104 Display Format and Scaling Modes • VNS 104 Device Name • Multiple Controller Domains VNS 104 Multi‑Stream Software Decoder The VNS 104 Software Decoder provides viewing of up to four live PURE3 streams from VN‑Matrix Series encoders that are on the same network.
If the VNS 104 was not configured during installation, or changes to the controller, the PC, or the network have occured and the VNS 104 is unable to contact the controller, the controller is not properly licensed, or the VNS 104 shares the same ID or checksum with an existing VNS 104, then the application displays “Unable to contact controller” on the splash screen (see figure 16, below).
Full Screen and Reduced Screen Modes The VNS 104 has two screen modes: full and reduced. When decoding and viewing PURE3 streams, you can switch between the two. Figure 17. Select Full Screen To switch from the reduced screen to full screen, select Fullscreen from the toolbar or double-click anywhere on the screen. To return to the reduced screen size, press on the keyboard or double-click anywhere on the screen. When the VNS 104 is in reduced screen mode, the toolbar and window borders are visible.
Decoder Window Quad Stream Display Format The display area of the VNS 104 main display window is divided into four smaller decoder windows (see figure 18) that result in four quadrants of equal resolution positioned around the display window center. Display Window Center Figure 18. VNS 104 Main Window Display, Quad-split Layout The Enterprise Controller assigns a stream to each window as required. The decoded image is displayed centered in the chosen quadrant.
VNS 104 Scaling Modes Each window can be set to one of three scalings: unity, follow, or fill (see figure 20, below). • Follow: The aspect ratio of the source image is maintained: the entire source video is displayed in the available screen or window size. • Fill: The entire source image is scaled to fit the available window or display size. Aspect ratio is not maintained.
Decoded Window Splash Screen Each decoded window may display a splash screen generated by the program. The splash screen is enabled by default and displayed when a source stream is either not assigned or not available. The splash screen option may be disabled from the Enterprise Controller. NOTES: • A custom splash screen may be added and used in place of the supplied design (see Application Configuration on page 12). • Only one splash screen can be used at a time.
VNS 104 Performance The performance of the VNS 104 depends on the bit rate of the PURE3 streams and the capability of the PC hardware it resides on. If hardware limitations are encountered, the image may update more slowly. The VNS 104 monitors its performance and makes adjustments in real time to ensure the highest quality video. Decoding a source stream can be suspended when resource limits mean decoding is no longer possible.
Single stream limit When PC resources are insufficient to support decoding and display of all streams, the connection for a single stream is temporarily suspended giving the resources time to recover. A splash screen is displayed in the window of the affected stream (see figure 21). Exit Fullscreen Configure Help Quad_Split.decoder0 Stream suspended... Please wait... Figure 21.
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