Cabletime Mediastar 798

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Quick Start Guide

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QUICK START

GUIDE

MediaStar 798 HDMI HD Encoder Installation

Guide

The 798 HDMI Encoder is an HDMI

input H264 video and audio encoder

which outputs a ‘live’ multicast IPTV

stream. An HDCP Professional enabled

encoder can stream an HDCP protected

HDMI source to an unlimited number of

screens using the 782 Media Player, or

to PCs using the MediaStar Portal Player

software application.

A ‘live’ HDMI video source (such as a satellite

settop box or PC) can be plugged into the HDMI

input on the encoder. The video and audio

signals will be encoded in H264 video and AAC

audio formats and will be passed across an IP

network as a UDP multicast or unicast MPEG2

transport stream. IP settop devices, screens

and software applications can receive the IP

stream and display the ‘live’ TV pictures to their

users.

The 798 unit will accept a standard HDMI input

with a TV resolution up to 1080p/60. If the

HDMI source does not have HDCP encryption,

then a ‘standard’ 798 encoder can be used. If

the HDMI source is protected with HDCP, then a

798-HDCP variant encoder must be used.

The 798-HDCP encoder will distribute the

stream across the network with HDCP

encryption and implements the other security

and locality checks that the HDCP Professional

(HDCP Pro) standard requires.

What’s in the box:

•

798 HDMI HD Encoder Blade

•

HDMI Cable

•

CAT5 Patch cable

This includes exchanging encrypted security

credentials with ‘client’ devices and so the 798

HDCP Pro encoder will only work with HDCP Pro

enabled 782 units and MediaStar Portal Player

software.

The 798 unit is configured via webpage

configuration menus. The system administrator

can configure a range of parameters, including

the encoded picture resolution and both the video

and audio data rates. The configuration menus

can be password protected.

The encoder has a built-in IR blaster that can

control the HDMI source device that is connected

to it. The 782 media player at the user’s display

captures the IR keypress and passes it across the

network to the 798 encoder. The encoder then

replicates the IR keypress locally, so the source

device sees it and updates its HDMI output

accordingly.

The 798 encoder ‘blade’ has a HDMI output port

so the HDMI input can be monitored locally. It

can be used in a MediaStar 770 or 770-DR 19” 3

RU rack, or in a MediaStar 769 single ‘blade’

chassis.

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Summary

Installation and Initial Setup

Physical Installation Procedure

Physical mounting of the encoder blade into a chassis or rack.

IP Address Configuration

Setting the unit's IP address via the front panel display and buttons.

Network Connectivity

Connecting the encoder to the network using a CAT5 cable.

Web Configuration Access

Accessing the encoder's web configuration interface via a browser.

Network and Time Setup

Configuring network gateway, DNS server, and NTP time server.

Encoding and Stream Setup

Setting video/audio encoding parameters, bit rates, and resolution.

Media Manager Integration

Adding the encoder as a source in Media Manager software.

HDCP Stream Handling

How the encoder streams HDCP protected vs. unprotected HDMI input.

Browser-Based Configuration Menus

Specification and Status Overview

Viewing product capabilities, current operational status, serial number, and unit name.

Network Setup Configuration

Configuring network connection, addressing, hostname, and gateway settings.

Encoding Standard Settings

Setting video/audio encoding parameters, bit rates, and output resolution.

HDCP Pro Client Information

Details on connected HDCP Pro clients and locality time checks.

Security and Access Control

Setting a password for configuration and managing access.

Technical Specification

Physical and Environmental Specifications

Dimensions, weight, operating temperature, and humidity range.

Power, LAN, and Protocols

Power consumption, LAN interface details, and supported network protocols.

HDMI Input and Encoding Details

HDMI input capabilities, video/audio encoding standards, and bit rates.

Output Stream and Ports

Output stream format, HDMI monitor port, USB, and RS232 port specifications.

Front Panel, Web Config, Software

Front panel controls, web config, software upgradability, and approvals.

Declaration of Conformity

Product Compliance and Directives

Declares conformity to EU directives like EMC, Low Voltage, and RoHS.

Applied Standards and Certification

Lists specific safety, emissions, and CB scheme certifications.

United States FCC Compliance

FCC Rules and Operation Conditions

Details FCC compliance for Class A digital devices and operating conditions.

Correct Product Disposal

Instructions for responsible disposal of the product and electronic accessories.

The MediaStar 798 HDMI HD Encoder is a device designed for converting HDMI video and audio signals into a 'live' multicast IPTV stream. It supports H.264 video and AAC audio encoding, making it suitable for distributing high-definition content over an IP network.

Function Description:

The primary function of the 798 HDMI Encoder is to take an HDMI input (from sources like satellite set-top boxes or PCs) and encode it into an H.264 video and AAC audio stream. This stream is then transmitted across an IP network as a UDP multicast or unicast MPEG2 transport stream. This allows IP set-top devices, screens, and software applications (such as the MediaStar Portal Player) to receive and display the 'live' TV pictures.

A key feature of the 798 HDMI Encoder is its ability to handle HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) protected content. A 'standard' 798 encoder can be used for HDMI sources without HDCP encryption. However, for HDCP-protected HDMI sources, a 798-HDCP variant encoder is required. The 798-HDCP encoder distributes the stream with HDCP encryption and implements additional security and locality checks as required by the HDCP Professional (HDCP Pro) standard. This ensures that HDCP-protected content can be streamed to an unlimited number of screens using HDCP Pro-enabled 782 Media Players or MediaStar Portal Player software. The 798 HDCP Pro encoder will only work with HDCP Pro-enabled 782 units and MediaStar Portal Player software, as it exchanges encrypted security credentials with these client devices.

The encoder also includes a built-in IR blaster. This allows the 798 encoder to control the HDMI source device connected to it. The 782 media player at the user's display captures IR keypresses and transmits them across the network to the 798 encoder, which then replicates the IR keypress locally, enabling the source device to respond and update its HDMI output accordingly.

For local monitoring, the 798 encoder 'blade' features an HDMI output port, allowing the HDMI input to be viewed directly.

Important Technical Specifications:

Physical: 129 x 41 x 200 mm (5" x 1.6" x 7.9"), occupies one 770 Rack slot or a 769 Chassis. Weight: 0.6 Kg (1.3 Lbs).
Environmental: Operates between 0°C to 40°C (32°F - 104°F) enclosure ambient. Internal temperature monitoring is available via a web page.
Power: 17 W (from 770 rack or 769 single 'Blade' chassis).
LAN: RJ45 802.3 100/1000 Base-T Auto MDIX. Supports Static or DHCP IP Addresses, and TTL and DSCP QoS stream tagging.
Network Protocols: UDP, TCP, ARP, DHCP, ICMP, IGMP V2/V3, HTTP, Telnet, SNMP, SMTP, DSCP.
HDMI Input: HDMI 1.3, supporting resolutions from 480i to 1080p60, including 600x480p60, 800x600p60, 1024x768p60. Supports HDCP 1.4.
Video Encoding: MPEG 4-10/H.264 MP@L4, with CBR/VBR encoding. Supported bit rates range from 50 Kbps to 20 Mbps.
Audio Encoding: AAC Encoding, with 32, 44.1, 48 KHz sampling, and bit rates from 96 to 320 Kbps.
Output Stream: 480i – 1080p60 Unicast or Multicast UDP MPEG2 transport stream. Streams produced with HDCP Pro content protection on HDCP Pro enabled encoders.
HDMI Output Port: Local HDMI monitor port.
USB: USB 3.0 host port for keyboard/mouse, and software upgrades via memory stick.
RS232 Port: Rx, Tx, CTS, RTS up to 115200 Baud. Configured for SIPI external configuration/control or IP to RS232 bidirectional pass-through for external device control.
Front Panel: LCD Display and 3 push buttons for local configuration.
Approvals: FCC, CE, RCM, CB, TUV Approved as part of 770 rack or 769 single 'Blade' chassis.

Usage Features:

Installation: The 798 HD Encoder 'Blade' can be installed in a 769 chassis or 770 rack, with power on or off. Installation involves removing blanking plates, aligning the blade with plastic rack slides, gently pushing it in until it connects, and then tightening finger-screw fasteners.
Configuration: The unit is configured via webpage configuration menus, which allow the system administrator to set various parameters, including encoded picture resolution, video and audio data rates. These menus can be password protected.
IP Address Setup: The unit's IP address can be set using the front panel display and buttons. Each MediaStar 'Blade' device is preconfigured with a static IP address (172.21.51.208) which needs to be re-configured to avoid conflicts. The front panel LCD and push buttons facilitate setting the correct IP address, netmask, gateway, and DNS server settings. DHCP allocation is also an option.
Network Connection: The encoder connects to an access network port using a CAT5 patch cable, auto-negotiating up to a 1000 Mbps link.
Web Interface: Configuration is done through web pages accessible via a PC/MAC and a web browser (Edge, Chrome, Firefox) by entering the encoder's IP address. The web pages provide full contextual help.
Hostname: The encoder's hostname can be set, which appears in Media Manager software as the default name for the encoder and its stream media icon.
Date/Time: An NTP time server can be set up (pool.ntp.org recommended) for accurate time-stamping of event messages in the Event Log.
HDCP Pro Operation: For HDCP Pro encoders, connection to an authenticated time server is mandatory to verify the 'in-date' SRM file. The encoder will attempt to download SRM and Timestamp files from the Media Manager server or directly from digital-cp.com. If the encoder is on a LAN without internet access, these files must be regularly downloaded and dragged onto the Media Manager software workspace. The SRM file indicates authorization as an HDCP Pro device, and the timestamp file validates this declaration for 3 months. Regular updates are required to maintain HDCP Pro operation.
Stream Management: The 798 encoder automatically appears as a new source device in Media Manager software. Media Manager is used to allocate the encoder's TV channel to a Media Player or Portal page software viewer using playlists and selection lists.
HDCP Pro Client Monitoring: The HDCP Pro Info web page on the encoder lists all devices currently watching the HDCP Pro protected stream, along with their locality time check periods. If these exceed 7mS, intermittent stream access will occur.
IR Blaster Configuration: The type of IR blaster cable can be configured, and the last IR key received can be continuously repeated to aid in IR blaster location setup.
Locator LEDs: Front and rear panel status LEDs can be flashed RED/GREEN from the front panel or web page to help identify the physical encoder unit in a rack.

Maintenance Features:

No User Serviceable Parts: The unit contains no user-serviceable parts. All servicing must be referred to qualified service personnel.
Software Updates: Software upgrades can be performed via a USB memory stick or from a MediaStar HTTP server. The encoder only accepts new software digitally signed by MediaStar Systems.
Enablement Codes: Enablement codes can be entered to reconfigure or expand the unit's capabilities, obtainable from resellers or MediaStar Systems. Reset checkboxes are also available.
Password Protection: A password can be set to prevent unauthorized modification of the unit's configuration. If the password is lost, MediaStar support can assist using the unit's serial number.
Event Monitoring: Key operational warnings are reported via SNMP traps to third-party SNMP managers. Automatic e-mail of Event log files can be configured via an external SMTP server. The Event Log shows a full list of events, including notifications such as loss of streams.