The NODESTER iOS application serves as the control interface for the Nodestream video and audio streaming suite, designed to intuitively allow users to group devices, manage connections, and configure video and audio settings to meet specific requirements and network conditions.
Function Description:
NODESTER is a comprehensive device management solution that enables users to create locations for grouping video and audio devices, manage Nodestream devices and connections globally, and customize stream settings for challenging network environments. It supports the setup and configuration of various Nodestream devices, including video encoders (NQE/NSM), video decoders (NQD/NSM), Wearwolf devices, and audio devices. The application facilitates the assignment of devices to logical locations, establishment of connections between devices, and detailed configuration of video and audio streams.
Important Technical Specifications:
Video Encoders (NQE/NSM):
- Video Source Selection: Supports hardware inputs, no video input, test video, test pattern, and RTSP streams.
- Framerate: Configurable from 1 to 60 frames per second (fps), with common options like 5, 10, 15, 30, and 60 fps.
- Resolution: Supports various resolutions including 144p, 240p, 360p, 480p, 720p, and 1080p.
- RTSP Inputs: Allows adding RTSP streams as inputs, with support for user name/password and IP address/port configuration. There is no theoretical limit to the number of IP cameras that can be added, though practical limitations exist (e.g., 254 for a given IP network). RTSP stream settings may need to be enabled via the camera's web interface.
- Input Presets: Input configurations can be saved and recalled as presets for managing multiple RTSP inputs.
Wearwolf Devices:
- Bitrate: Displays live bitrate and allows adjustment of the target bitrate.
- Framerate: Configurable from 5 to 30 fps, with options for 5, 10, 15, and 30 fps.
- Resolution: Supports 144p, 240p, 360p, 480p, 720p, and 1080p.
- Flashlight Control: Toggle flashlight on/off.
- Camera Selection: Toggle between internal and external cameras.
- Camera Zoom: Adjustable zoom level (e.g., 0/10).
- Latency: Latency settings must be configured on the decoder prior to connecting to a Wearwolf device, as decoder settings become unavailable once connected.
Video Decoders (NQD/NSM):
- Bitrate: Displays live bitrate and allows adjustment of the target bitrate. Target bitrate should ideally be set to 80% of available bandwidth for best results.
- Latency: Adjustable latency settings.
- Quad Mode: Enables all 4 inputs (when connected to a 4-channel encoder) to be displayed on a single monitor output. The number of available quad modes reflects the number of physical outputs on the device.
- Input Selection: Controls the encoded stream from the encoder. When "quad input" is selected, all 4 inputs are encoded and streamed. When a "single input" (1, 2, 3, or 4) is selected, only that input is encoded and streamed, allocating all bandwidth to that channel for higher quality video.
- Combined Mode: Displays a single input split across all 4 outputs (when connected to a 4-channel decoder).
Audio Devices:
- Sound Devices: Supports digital (HDMI, USB) or analog (3.5mm) sound devices.
- Monitor Device: Can be used for recording or as a general secondary output.
- Volume Settings: Adjustable microphone, speaker, and monitor volumes. These adjustments update NODESTER levels and can also be made on the physical device.
- Passthrough: Controls audio transmission between connected devices. Passthrough enabled allows all devices to communicate; passthrough disabled restricts communication to the device with passthrough disabled.
- Combined Audio Devices: Speakerphones and headsets require individual mic and speaker settings.
Connection Architecture:
- Video Connections: When connected to a Nodestream encoder, the first decoder becomes the host, and subsequent decoders become slaved. Bitrate and latency settings are configured by the host decoder.
- Maximum of three decoders can be connected to an encoder.
- Connection latency doubles for every slave added.
- An encoder can connect to only one decoder (host).
- When connected to a Wearwolf device, the decoder operates in slave mode, with all settings controlled by the Wearwolf.
- Audio Connections: A maximum of three devices can be connected from a single device. Passthrough functionality allows control over which connected devices communicate.
Usage Features:
Getting Started:
- Installation: NODESTER application is pre-loaded on Harvest-supplied iPads or can be installed from the App Store.
- Account Configuration: Involves selecting the NODESTER app, tapping the Network icon, scanning a QR code with the device camera, and entering a password.
- Presets: Allows management of large, complex Nodestream networks and/or multiple user accounts. Devices and locations can be configured for specific operations or regions and saved for later recall.
- Creating a Preset: Tap the Presets icon, select "Add new preset," enter a name, and confirm.
- Deleting a Preset: Tap the Presets icon, then swipe left on a preset to delete.
Set Up Workflow:
- Create Preset: Define a preset for the network configuration.
- Create Locations: Group devices within presets, typically associated with physical locations.
- Creating a Location: Tap and hold on a blank area, enter a location name, and confirm.
- Deleting a Location: Tap the location, then tap "Delete."
- Renaming a Location: Tap the location, rename it, and tap "OK."
- Assign Devices: Assign available devices to created locations.
- Assigning from Unassigned Devices: Tap a device in "Unassigned devices" and select the target location.
- Assigning from Location: Tap and hold within a location, then tap a device to assign it.
- Unassigning Devices: Tap a device in a location, then tap "Unassign."
- Moving Devices: Tap a device in a location, then tap "Move location" and select a new location.
- Establish Connections: Connect devices (video and audio) between locations.
- Connecting Devices: Tap and hold a device connector (decoder or audio connector) and drag it to another device. Connections are represented by blue (video) and green (audio) lines. Incompatible devices or dragging attempts show a red line.
- Disconnecting Devices: Tap a connected device, then tap "Disconnect from [device name]."
Device Configuration:
- Resolution: Number of pixels in each frame. Higher resolution requires more bitrate; lower resolution reduces latency.
- Framerate: Number of frames per second. Higher framerate requires more bitrate for smoother streams; lower framerate improves image quality or reduces latency.
- Bitrate: Amount of data per second. Adjust target bitrate to 80% of available network bandwidth. If target bitrate exceeds live bitrate, stream quality is affected.
- Latency: Time taken for data transfer. Increasing latency allows more time for data transfer, improving quality; decreasing latency reduces delay.
Maintenance Features:
Troubleshooting:
- Device "Offline": Check if the device is powered on, has a valid internet connection, and if the software is running.
- Red Line During Connection: Indicates incompatible devices, connection limit reached (max three devices), or existing connections between devices.
- Long Connection Time: Suggests poor network quality (satellite, mobile), excessive bandwidth for the network, or low latency. Also check for local isolation on LAN/WLAN.
- Network Status Icon Spinning: iPad is attempting to contact the Harvest server. If prolonged, indicates no internet connection or firewall blocking traffic.
- Network Status Icon Red: Account settings are incorrect.
- Video Connection Issues: Network traffic blocked or unavailable. Disconnect and reconnect devices. Lower bitrate (e.g., 128Kb/s) and increase latency (e.g., 3000ms). If issues persist, check network settings and firewalls.
- Video Connection Not Drawing: Device has too many connections or is incompatible.
- Excessive Video Delay: Latency induced for packet re-transmission. Lower device latency until stable video is achieved.
- Audio Connection Re-establishing: Network traffic blocked or unavailable. Disconnect and reconnect devices.
- Delayed Audio Echo: Remote microphone detecting speaker output (microphone level too high or too close to speaker), or a loop condition in the connection (passthrough must be disabled at some point).
- Audio Connection Not Drawing: Device has too many connections or is incompatible.
- Excessive Audio Delay: Poor network conditions causing network buffering. Disconnect and reconnect audio connection.
General Maintenance Notes:
- Devices must be online to allow configuration.
- Some settings may only be available when the device is connected to another.
- Audio connections can be affected if all available bandwidth is consumed by video streams.
- If display output configuration is incorrect, change inputs on the connected encoder.
- Regularly check network settings and contact Harvest support for persistent issues.
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