ADENA Hack: How to add IP sources to the DS-X09?

The DS-X09 Media Decoder, a 9-channel device, supports connecting IP sources through four different protocols:

• RTMP (audio and video)

• RTP (audio and video)

• RTSP (video only)

• NDI|HX (audio and video)

  
  

To add sources, the decoder uses the AREC Multi-view Maker app for Windows (which we reviewed in a previous ADENA Hack ). To add RTSP, RTMP, and RTP sources to the list, simply type their URL like you would on an AREC Media Station, VLC Media Player, OBS, or another application/device in the Main URL field. For instance, to add an RTSP stream of a Media Station, simply type rtsp://IP address of the Media Station/movie. To add a stream from a RADA A-TC02, type rtsp://IP address of the A-TC02/live/av0. Filling out Sub URL fields is optional, but if you do, the Sub URL will be used for previews inside the Multi-view Maker.

NDI links work a bit differently and require filling out both the Main and the Sub URLs. You can find the URLs in the NDI Studio Monitor, or from an NDI-enabled AREC Media Station if you have it. In the NDI Studio Monitor, press the menu button on the top-left corner of the app to see NDI devices in your network. It will look like this:

To check the URL in a Media Station, open the Network Device Manager, scan, and look for it in the “Host Name” column:

Now, open the Multi-view Maker and login to the DS-X09. This will open the Source Setting list. Fill out your sources’ names and enter their Main and Sub URLs in the following format:

Main URL: ndi://Source Name (Channel Name)

Sub URL: Source Name (Channel Name)

You can see how we added our sources in the picture below:

Press “Save” and that’s it, the system is ready to go!

Would you like to know more about the DS-X09 or other AREC solutions? Contact us at www.a-dena.com and we will be happy to assist you.

Case Study: AREC Puts Lithuanian Startups in Spotlight for Better Pitching

Dear ADENA Partners, in this case study we highlight how Sunrise Tech Park in Lithuania is using the AREC Portable Media Set to record and stream events. By using the devices to showcase a variety of business and scientific project webinars and activities, the case demonstrates how easy AREC systems are to use for live production.

Sunrise Tech Park is part of the Sunrise Valley Innovation Ecosystem, a non-profit organisation. It was established to promote entrepreneurship, knowledge and technology exchange, and to attract investment in business ideas. It serves as one of the prime gathering places for scientific organisations and startups in Lithuania, thanks to its key location and partnerships.

Many of the gatherings organised by Sunrise Tech Park take place online or in hybrid form, using videoconferencing software to connect remote speakers. Knowing the significant impact of visual presentation on a successful business pitch, the park started looking for solutions that could enhance the visibility of speakers and give them greater control over how they present their content. Thanks to our partner Tenesys, Sunrise Tech Park chose the AREC Media Capture System for this purpose.

The park uses a Portable Media Set that consists of a KL-3T, a CI-T21H IR Tracking camera with a CI-21H PTZ camera, and a RADA Bridge. The set fits neatly into a secure and easily movable suitcase, making it easy for Sunrise Tech Park to move the set to different locations depending on the ongoing events. The set's mobility is accentuated by the KL-3T — a 3-channel media station that comes with a built-in touchscreen. The station mixes the two network cameras, computer content, custom overlays, and backgrounds together into a mixed video, which is converted by the RADA Bridge into a USB webcam feed. This helps the remote attendees see the event in full. The camera’s PTZ presets can be controlled directly from the station, meaning that the operator doesn’t need a computer or any other device to manage the production.

Antanas Popiera, the Startups Project manager of Sunrise Tech Park commented on the system: "We use equipment for our hybrid workshops in support of various entrepreneurship initiatives on a weekly basis. This equipment allows us to fully include online participants, enhancing their participation and significantly improving the productivity and quality of their contributions."

With the AREC Portable Media Set, going live has become much easier for Sunrise Tech Park. We thank our partner Tenesys and Antanas Popiera for their work and information contribution. Is your organisation also looking to improve hybrid event production? Contact us at www.a-dena.com and we will be happy to discuss your project requirements.

Case Study: AREC Tracking Speakers for Costa-Rica’s Governmental Meetings

Dear ADENA Partners, our new case study from Costa Rica is about the construction and equipping of a ‘Türkiye Room’ in ICAP, a public administration institute. Designed by our partner in Costa Rica, Interactiva, the room features various AREC, RADA, and other brands’ conferencing solutions. Together, these solutions have significantly improved the organisation’s video conferencing meeting experience. 

The Central American Institute of Public Administration (ICAP) is an organisation within the Central American Integration System (SICA), an economic and political union of Central American states. ICAP’s function is to modernise the public sector and develop human resources, thus increasing the integration between SICA member countries. ICAP does this by holding meetings with partners from all over the world through video conferencing and in-person meetings.

Effective conferencing necessitates the usage of quality AV products. Knowing that, ICAP got an opportunity to upgrade their existing conferencing venue with the help of one of their partners, the Turkish Agency for Cooperation and Coordination, otherwise known as TIKA. The two organisations envisaged for this updated venue to have the latest technology in AV conferencing. It was decided that the room needed to host 40 participants, featured a way to quickly display active speakers, and could output multiple cameras simultaneously into conferencing apps like Teams, Zoom, and others. Our partner Interactiva offered a solution based on the AREC DS-4CU Speaker Tracking Station, CI-21H PTZ Camera, and CI-T10 IR Tracking Camera, as well as the RADA A-BR01 HDMI to USB Bridge.

The DS-4CU is a device that allows users to connect up to 4 video sources, such as network and regular cameras, network streams, computers, and others. These sources can be mixed and displayed in customisable layouts with user-uploaded overlay and background graphics. It is set apart from other devices by its unique feature — tracking integration of discussion systems from brands like Televic, Shure, Bosch, Audio-Technica, and others. This allows the station to automatically change how it displays the video sources according to the active microphone on supported systems from these brands. 

Importantly, this switching can also be done manually, even if you do not have a compatible discussion system. This is precisely the case with ICAP, where custom presets are set up for every chair. The operator switches both the video and PTZ presets through the station’s graphical user interface by tapping on seat numbers. ICAP uses CI-21H PTZ network camera to capture each of the possible 40 participants, and a CI-T10 IR Tracking Camera to ensure that the main presenter has freedom of movement. Additionally, a computer with slides is connected as another source to the DS-4CU, and the mixed output of the station is converted into USB by an A-BR01 RADA Bridge. This allows ICAP to join conferencing calls and display their whole room with computer content, active speakers from the audience, and the main presenter all at the same time.

With the AREC system in place, ICAP’s conferencing calls can now effectively display every active participant for the remote side. Interested in learning more about this or other solutions you can build with AREC? Let us know at www.a-dena.com, and we will arrange a demonstration for you.