VBrick Enterprise Media System VEMS v5.
Copyright © 2009 VBrick Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. 12 Beaumont Road Wallingford, Connecticut 06492, USA www.VBrick.com This publication contains confidential, proprietary, and trade secret information. No part of this document may be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated, or reduced to any machine-readable or electronic format without prior written permission from VBrick.
Contents Portal Server v5.0 User Guide Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v Getting Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi Font Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi Printer-Friendly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Scheduling an Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Recurrence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Advanced Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Create Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Portal Server v5.0 User Guide This Portal Server User Guide is written for anyone who will be using or evaluating the VBrick Enterprise Media System Portal Server. This includes system administrators, software developers, network technicians, and end users in a variety of business environments. The VEMS Portal Server is a web-based portal for accessing and managing video assets including both live or stored audio and video files. The VEMS Portal Server is a key component in VBrick's Enterprise Media System.
More Tools explains how to deliver live presentations (optional), create playlists, add video, and other common tasks. Getting Help If you need help, or more information about any topic, use the online help system. The online help is cross-referenced and searchable and can usually find the information in a few seconds. Use the tree controls in the left pane to open documents and the up and down arrows to page through them. Use the Search box to find specific information.
Chapter 1 Introduction Topics in this section Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Login . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Module Description Presentations Allows you to create live and stored rich media webinars. Distribution Server(s) Load-balances webinar delivery for large-scale presentations. Zones As shown below a certain number of addressable zones are available without charge. Additional zones require a separate license and fee.
Introduction Table 4. Downloaded Components Platform Comments Windows The Portal Server uses VBrick StreamPlayer software-based components to decode video streams on the desktop. Depending on how your system is configured, the Portal Server may need to download components to your computer the first time you access the server. No download is necessary for subsequent access. You must answer Yes to security requests when prompted to download components.
3. 4. 5. Log in with a valid User Name and Password to launch the Portal Server (Figure 1). If your site uses multiple authentication servers, you may need to select a Domain name as well. Contact your system administrator for more information. Depending on how your system is configured, the Portal Server may need to download additional components the first time you access the server. If prompted to download components, you must answer Yes to the security requests.
Introduction Channel Guide VBrick has partnered with a leading content provider to provide news, information, and entertainment programming for the Portal Server. This optional service requires a license and may not be supported at your site. The program listing includes some 80+ television programs and comes from a VBrick-maintained server. Scheduling View or create scheduled broadcasts of live or stored content. See Scheduling on page 27.
Search The Portal Server has a search feature that makes it easy to find video assets. You can search for keyword tags or text using the search box, or you can use the dropdown list boxes to filter the results for different "types" of content (e.g. presentations). In general you search for a broad category of content using the search box; then you can get more granular using the date and folder filters. As shown in Figure 3 the options below the search box are page-based.
Introduction Filter by Folder The Media Library lets you filter stored content by folder and/or date. If you select a folder, the search results will also include content in any subfolders. The search executes as soon as you select a folder. You typically select a folder first and then specify a date range. The following folders have a special meaning: • My Media – this is a special, private folder belonging to the user who is currently logged in.
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Chapter 2 Media Library Some Portal Server functionality and features may be restricted for certain users. If you are not authorized to launch a Priority Alert or Add Video, for example, those menu items will not be displayed on the navigation footer on the Portal Server home page as shown in Figure 4. Similarly if you do not have "record" privileges, you will not see a "record" button in the preview window.
Filter By Folder Shows all content available in the selected folder(s) and includes any subfolders (if present). See Search Filters on page 6 for more information. Filter By Date Shows all content available on the selected date(s). You can filter the content by Day, Week, Month, or Date Range). See Search Filters on page 6 for more information. Display Options Show per page Title The title of the video clip is displayed after the icon indicating it is a video clip.
Media Library Content Each listing displays either a default file icon or a thumbnail image of the clip (see Creating Thumbnails on page 15), as well as information about the clip such as duration and tags. The scroll bar on the right of the table of available videos allows the user to scroll up or down through the entries. You can also scroll up or down through the entries using a mouse wheel or Page Up and Page Down. Scrolling may be limited by the Show per page setting.
Player Controls The icons at the bottom of the preview window control the video. (Note that the controls here are different from those used for live media, for example, there is no Record button for stored media.) Mouseover each button to see the title. Seek – use the slider to navigate to any point in a stream. – starts the video stream if it was previously stopped. Pause – pauses the video stream until restarted. Stop – stops the video from playing. Rewind – rewind to beginning of stream.
Media Library external web sites and desktop files. (You must have the appropriate application installed locally; for example, you need PowerPoint to open a PowerPoint presentation.) T To delete a stored video: 1. 2. Click on the Info button to the right of any stored video. Click Delete Video and confirm. If you have permissions, this will permanently remove the video from the Portal Server. T To customize a stored video: 1. 2. Click on the Info button to the right of any stored video.
Link Type • Web page URL – Enter a valid URL or copy and paste one from your web browser. • Uploaded File – Browse to select an upload file. This can be a PowerPoint, an image, or any file you want to make available to end users. Sharing Content The envelope icon at the bottom of the Info page associated with each video lets you share a stored VOD stream with other local or remote users via an e-mail message.
Media Library Creating Thumbnails You can create thumbnails for all videos stored in the Media Library that were recorded on the Portal Server. If given publishing permissions, you can replace the generic video clip icon with a snapshot of the video or with any .jpg or .gif image you choose. The folders to which you can upload thumbnails are configured by an VEMS Portal Server administer.
Media Library Figure 5.
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Chapter 3 Live Media Topics in this section Playing Live Streams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Playing Live Streams The Live Media page lets you view live streams, TV stations, and rich media presentations available on the network. The list of available streams is determined by the VBrick appliances or other encoders in your network.
Note Many Portal Server functions have restricted permissions. If you are not authorized to launch a Priority Alert or Add Video, for example, those menu items will not be displayed on the navigation footer. Other functionality may hidden or non-functional. For example if you do not have "record" permissions, you will not see a record button in the player controls under the preview window. Filter By Date Shows all content available on the selected date(s).
Live Media Player Controls The icons at the bottom of the preview window control the video. (Note that the controls here are different from those used for stored media, for example, there is a Record button for live media.) Mouseover each button to see the title. The buttons shown are for the Windows-based player. (Macintosh users may see the QuickTime Player buttons.) – starts the video stream if it was previously stopped. Pause – greyed out and not used with live streams.
T To tile your screen as shown below: 1. 1. 2. 3. Open multiple windows using the Pop-Up button. Right-click in an empty area on the Windows taskbar at the bottom of your screen. Then select Tile Windows Horizontally or Tile Windows Vertically. When done click Undo Tile. Recording Live Streams If you have permission, you can record any live channels being played in the preview window. (You cannot record or copy stored videos in the Media Library.
Chapter 4 Channel Guide The Channel Guide displays a list of custom stations and TV stations. Custom stations are defined by an administrator at your site and may also include programming data (scheduled programs names and times). TV Stations are provided by a third-party content provider and always have programming data. Use the Show Me filter to see what's on. You can view programming information up to 14 days in advance depending on what the channels are available.
Figure 7. Channel Guide The message "Program Unavailable" in the Channel Guide means there is no programming data associated with the stream. It does not mean the stream itself is unavailable. You can still click on the stream to launch it in the preview window. The message "Sign Off" means a network TV Station (for example ABC or CNN) does not have programming scheduled in that time slot. During "Sign Off" time, local stations typically air their local content.
Channel Guide Time Zone Select a time zone. Remote viewers will see a scheduled event that has been time-adjusted relative to the zone selected here. If you schedule an event for 3:00 PM Eastern Time (US), it will be displayed as 6:00 PM Pacific Time (US) in California. Schedule Options Use this option to schedule and customize a recording of the selected program. (For example you may want to add an Expiration Date for the recording.
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Chapter 5 Scheduling Topics in this section Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Live Broadcast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Stored Broadcast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Schedule Privileges As shown below, Portal Server users may have limited schedule privileges in which case their ability to create or modify schedules is restricted. For example, anyone can view a schedule on the calendar page but users with "partial" privileges, for example, will only be able to drill down and modify a schedule they "own" (i.e. one they created). Mouseover any scheduled event on the calendar page to view the owner. Table 5.
Scheduling Scheduling an Event The available content for creating a scheduled program include live streams from a VBrick encoder or stored files on an VOD server (or a VBStar). You can access the Scheduling page from anywhere in the application. Any scheduled programs currently in progress will display a TV icon and can be launched by clicking the icon or from the Live Media page.
3. Enter a Schedule Name and complete the Start and End fields. (To avoid format errors, click in the date and time fields and use the calendar and dropdown list respectively.) Depending on the view you selected above, these fields may be pre-filled. Schedule Name Alphanumeric, no special characters, must be unique. Maximum 128 characters. Start Use the calendar and the dropdown menu respectively to select start date and time.
Scheduling Schedule time Set start, end, and duration. Duration cannot exceed 24 hours. Recurrence pattern Use the radio buttons and check boxes to set a Daily, Weekly, or Monthly recurrence pattern. A recurring event is shown on the scheduler with a special icon. Range of recurrence Describe the start and end of the range. End can be none, number of occurrences, or a specific date. 5. Select a Schedule Type.
Table 6. Color-coded Scheduled Events Text Color Description Red Expired. The scheduled event is over. Beige Future. The scheduled event will occur at some point in the future. Green Active. The scheduled event is currently in progress. If the event is viewable (for example a stored video), a TV icon is displayed and you can click on it to launch the stream.
Scheduling and change the settings as necessary. Note that if you schedule a recording with a recurrence pattern, the filenames shown on the following window are automatically appended with the date and time, for example: filename>d>t.mp4 Delete Schedule To delete a schedule, simply click on the scheduled event and click Delete. This removes the schedule and all future recurrences.
3. In Select Video Source, choose one of the following and click Next . VBrick Select a live stream by VBrick name. Program Name Select a live stream by Program Name from all available. Enter Manually Enter an appliance source. T To use a VBrick as the Video Source : 1. 2. Select VBrick as the Video Source. Select one VBrick by Hostname and click Next (or Finish if no destinations are to be specified).
Scheduling T To use Enter Manually as the Video Source : 1. Select Enter Manually and click Next . 2. Enter the Schedule Start Options and click Next . The options vary as follows depending on the Source device type. Source Select one: MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, WM, or H.264. Source IP Address Destination multicast IP address that will receive the broadcast. Range 224.0.0.0–239.255.255.255. Port Destination port number that will receive the broadcast. Range 1040–65534.
Connection Mode (MPEG-4 only) Enter the video source location to connect to using one of the following. No special characters are allowed. If you enter the IP Address or Hostname of a VBrick encoder managed by the Portal Server, the availability will be verified. • IP Address/Host Name – must include Slot number (if dual encoder/decoder) and Management Port. • URL – use VBHTTP or RTSP format. For example: vbhttp://MPEG4Unit1/vbs1d1.sdp rtsp://172.2.3.
Scheduling 3. Select the source of the stored broadcast. It can be either a VBrick VBStar (with a hard drive) or a VOD server. Each has a different icon. This icon denotes a VOD Server with a specific IP address. Navigate through the file system to a source video on the VOD server. This icon denotes a named VBStar with a hard drive. Navigate through the file system to a source video on the VBStar. T To use a stored video on a VOD server: 1.
Conference Use these steps to create a video conference between two encoders/decoder pairs at different locations. This means that at the scheduled date and time a video conference will automatically be launched using two specified VBricks—one at each end. Note A video conference requires a matching pair of MPEG-2/4 encoders/decoders at each end. You cannot use Windows Media or H.264 appliances for conferencing. T To schedule a video conference: 1. 2.
Scheduling 4. 5. Select VBrick 2 and click Finish . Verify the information and click Create Schedule to add the new schedule to the calendar. Record Use these steps to create a schedule that will initiate the recording of live content. This means that at the scheduled date and time the live content will be recorded, optionally ingested and FTPed, and made available on the Media Library page to authorized users for viewing. T To schedule a recording: 1.
T To use a Program Name as the record source: 1. 2. Select a live stream from the list of Program Names. Go to Advanced Settings > Record To and select NVR or VBrick . NVR The recording will be saved to an NVR on the VEMS Portal Server or to a standalone Network Video Recorder. See the Portal Server Admin Guide for more about NVRs. VBrick The recording will be saved to an MPEG-2 or WM VBStar. Record to NVR T To use an NVR to save the recording: 1. Select NVR and click Next .
Scheduling Location Use the dropdown to select the folder in which the recording will be saved. Tags Enter metadata text for search by tag. Description Enter metadata text for Description search. Custom Fields Field name Shown only if custom fields are defined by an administrator. Dropdown list Shown only if custom dropdown lists are defined by an administrator. Links Title Link title shown on the Info page for the recording. Web Page URL Actual web URL displayed when you click on the title.
2. When done click Finish , then verify the information and click Create Schedule to add the new schedule to the calendar. Record to VBrick T To use a VBrick (MPEG-2 or WM VBStar) to save the recording: 1. Select VBrick and click Next . 2. Enter a filename and then select a VBrick (MPEG-2 or WM VBStar) that will save the recording. Then click on the Advanced tab, and complete the other fields. 3. 42 Filename Filename of new recording.
Scheduling 4. When done click Finish , verify the information, and click Create Schedule to add the new schedule to the calendar. Record by Manual Entry When the Record Source is Manual Entry, you can only Record To an NVR. T To use Manual Entry as the record source: 1. 2. Select a live stream from the list of Program Names. Go to Advanced Settings and select Manual Entry. MPEG-1 Enter a Program Name, or IP Address and Port number. MPEG-2 Enter a Program Name, or IP Address and Port number.
4. 5. Use the tabbed windows to define specific attributes for the recording. These are the same fields described above in Record by Program Name. When done click Finish , then verify the information and click Create Schedule to add the new schedule to the calendar. Script Scripts and Script Devices are created by Portal Server administrators. Use the following steps to create a schedule that will execute a previously-defined script on a previously-defined script device such as a camera or a VCR.
Scheduling 3. 4. Select a previously-defined script and click Finish . Verify the information and click Create Schedule to add the new schedule to the calendar. Control Device Note Control devices are not supported in VEMS v5.0. Existing control devices are compatible with VEMS 5.0 but have not been fully tested and will not be initially supported by VBrick—use them at your own risk. VBrick will provide full support for control devices in VEMS v5.1.
46 T To schedule a control device: 1. 2. Select a schedule name, dates, and (optionally) recurrence pattern (see Scheduling an Event). For Schedule Type, select Control Device and click Next . 3. Select a device and click Next . © 2009 VBrick Systems, Inc.
Scheduling 4. 5. Select the destination VBricks that will receive the video and click Finish . Verify the information and click Create Schedule to add the new schedule to the calendar.
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Chapter 6 More Tools Topics in this section Create Presentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Playlist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Add Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 10. Create Presentation Page Creating Presentations Go to More Tools > Create Presentation and use the following steps to create a presentation. When finished, the presentation will be shown in the Portal Server on the Live Media page. To edit or modify the presentation after it has been published, go to the Portal Server, then highlight the presentation and click Edit . This will launch the Create Presentation page (Figure 10) and you can modify the presentation as desired.
More Tools Note Several other administrator configuration steps are required before you can publish rich media presentations to the Portal Server. See the "Configuring for Presentations" topic in the Portal Server Release Notes for complete details. 3. Content Description Use this page to describe your content. Title and Description are required; Tags are optional. You can also upload an image that will replace the generic "presentation" icon on the Portal Server pages.
5. Audience Use this pane to invite attendees—either individuals or groups. As a convenience, you can also import a text file with each address on a separate line or delineated with commas. You can also add your own text to the invitation. The invitation will be sent automatically after you have published the presentation and will contain all necessary access data, the password, and your individual text. It will have URLs for both Internet (unicast) viewers and for local (multicast) viewers.
More Tools Protect viewer access with password Any of the Permission modes explained below can also be configured with a password that will be sent with the e-mail invitation. If you configure a password, end users will be prompted for that password before they can view a presentation. Protect presenter access Presenters can also be restricted by password. Presenters can with password present this live webinar only if they first enter this password.
7. If desired, click Save presentation to save the presentation to the specified VOD folder. Figure 11. Presentation Launch Page Present Launches the Live Presenter page (Figure 12). Edit Displays the Create Presentation page (Figure 10) so you can edit the configuration (change dates, times, VBricks, etc.) as necessary. Delete If you are authorized, this will automatically delete the presentation. There is no additional confirmation or warning. Figure 12.
More Tools Video preview Launches a thumbnail of the stream in a preview window for verification. It is always a good practice to verify your slides have been uploaded and your video is streaming. See Best Practices for more information. Create poll Lets you create a multiple choice poll for viewers. See Creating Polls on page 56. Poll results Lets you view the tabulated results of polls sent to viewers. Hide controls Hide all presenter controls. (This is a convenience to the presenter.
Best Practices It's always a good idea to test your audio, video, and slides locally before presenting to a live audience. This can help identify problems in advance and provide your viewers with an optimal viewing experience. For a successful presentation, there is no substitute for a thorough walk-through that can anticipate and address potential issues—particularly with your network.
More Tools 4. Poll results from viewers are available from the presenter page by selecting the named poll (the current poll name +is preceded by as asterisk.) Responses from viewers are displayed in graphical form as shown below. 5. If desired the presenter can click Send Results to display the results in a viewer pop-up and to populate the Poll Results pane on the viewer page. Submitting Questions Live presentations only.
The following window shows questions that have been submitted preceded by the viewer's login name. The display panel is auto refreshed each time someone asks a question. This means you can see and answer new questions in realtime. Alternatively, you can tell your audience to ask questions at any time but they will be answered at the end of the presentation. Figure 13.
More Tools 2. The internal e-mail link for example will display the following page. 3. Click View webinar to launch the live presentation (Figure 14).
Figure 14. Viewing a Live Presentation Reference material Shows reference material, for example Microsoft Words documents or PDFs, that were uploaded by the presenter. Poll results Shows the results of polls that were initiated by the presenter. Questions Lets you submit questions to the presenter. The questions will be seen only by the presenter. Viewing Saved Presentations Presentations that have been saved to a VOD server are available on the Media Library page. T To view a saved presentation: 1.
More Tools formats (for example Windows Media or H.264) and at different bit rates. Playlists have a special icon and are only created from stored streams. They are not available with live streams and they are not available when multiple windows are displayed. (Playlists and bookmarks are supported on WM IP Receivers; they are not supported on Digital IP Receivers or Amino set top boxes.) You typically create a playlist using the Add or Edit Playlist buttons on the Media Library page.
and display an informational message below the preview window. As explained below, there are several ways to create playlists. You can quickly bookmark a stream playing in the preview window using the Bookmark button; this creates a playlist with one bookmark. You can also create a playlist from the Media Library or the Playlists page. Creating Playlists from the Media Library T To create a playlist from the Media Library: 1.
More Tools Note You may have folders without content but they are not displayed in the Media Library. Playlists without content, however, are not allowed. You cannot create a playlist without first selecting content. Editing Playlists You can launch the playlist editor from the Media Library or from the Playlist page. T To edit an existing playlist: 1. 2. Navigate to any existing playlist (or bookmark) and click the Edit Playlist icon.
Info Each playlist has its own searchable metadata. You can add/change the name, the folder, tags, etc. For example you can add a description or keyword tags that can be used for searching, as well as links to external web sites and desktop files. See Customizing Stored Videos on page 12. Up Move clip up one position in playlist. Down Move clip down one position in playlist. Start † Sets bookmark start time (default = beginning of file). There are two ways to set Start time.
More Tools Add Video If given publishing permissions, you have the ability to Add Video to any VOD servers you have permission to access. The folders to which you can add video are configured by your system administrator. The folder list that you can add video to may also be different from the folders that you can view content from. If you have WM or H.264 video content saved on your PC, you can publish this content to the VOD server(s) using the Add Video page.
66 Source File Browse to the folder on your PC or a network drive that has the video you wish to add. Destination Choose a folder you would like to publish the video to. Only the folders you have permission to publish to will be shown in the dropdown list. Video Name Enter the name you want displayed on the VEMS Portal Server interface. If adding Windows Media files, you must include the file extension; valid file extensions are .asf, .wmv, .wma , .mp3 , and .wsx .
More Tools Advanced Shown only if you have Expiration Privileges. Use to set expiration date, viewing period, and copyright restrictions. • Expiration – content will expire after the Expiration Date or the Viewing Period, depending on which radio button you select. • Copyright Restrictions – Use to set the maximum number of concurrent viewers. This overrides the default Global Setting. Status This window provides important realtime information.
Note Priority alert streams are shown only on monitors or TVs attached to VBrick appliances and IPRs respectively. They are not shown on the Portal Server user interface. If you are watching a stream in the preview window on the Portal Server user interface, you will not see a priority alert (except as selectable live stream). 2. 3. 4. 68 Click a previously-defined template name. Set the broadcast Duration in minutes (or click No Limit (Stop Manually) . Click Start Priority Alert and confirm.
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