TVU RPS Link Encoder Software Setup Guide

April 06, 2023

TVU RPS Link is a complete and versatile IP video solution designed specifically for REMI production. TVU RPS Link combines the TVU RPS encoder and TVU Rack Router into a single package for REMI production over aggregated wired or wireless connections.

Chapter 1 – Introduction, setup, and base operation

The RPS Link is an IS+ encoder in a 2RU rack-mount form factor. The RPS Link provides the same primary performance and features as the standard 4 or 6-channel RPS encoder and includes onboard Wifi and a Hotspot with external antennas. The RPS Link functional status can be viewed from the front panel LCD, and you can access the six SIM card slots from the front panel. The RPS Link works seamlessly with the standard RPS decoder and is fully compatible with the TVU Cloud ecosystem.

Product overview

The RPS Link transmitter encodes up to six synchronized SDI sources. It transmits high-quality, low-latency IP video from the remote location to a studio-based TVU RPS receiver, which decodes six accurately synchronized SDI outputs. The user-friendly RPS Link interface grants control over all aspects of transmission, including bitrate and latency, and provides previews of all four channels with the Duo 2 card and all six channels with the Quad 2 card. Channel and slot operations can be monitored by using the Encoder Channel Monitor and Slot Monitor tabs in the top panel of the RPS Link user interface.

TVU RPS Link Web interface, Channel Monitor tab

TVU RPS Link Web interface, Slot Monitor tab

TVU RPS Link provides up to two low-latency return video feeds from the studio to the field. VLAN tunnels on RPS decoders enable communication between the studio and the field over a private network.

About this guide

This user guide will enable you to:

• Describe the contents and key features of the RPS Link Remote Production System.
• Log into the RPS Web interface.
• Describe the RPS Web user interface monitoring and control functions.
• Perform encoder and decoder VLAN Tunnel, VoIP, and NTP configurations.
• Set up the encoder to transmit to two decoders simultaneously for redundancy or two independent programs using the same sources.

Features

• Supports up to six fully synchronized multi-channel transmissions. Supports the 6-channel Quad 2 and 4-channel Duo 2 cards.
• Super low-latency transmission over commodity internet. Glass-to-glass latency is as low as 500ms over cellular networks and Ethernet.
• Includes multiple encode behaviors to suit virtually any network environment.
• The RPS sends metadata and control from the studio to the field using the VLAN Tunnel.
• Supports up to 16 channels of SDI-embedded audio or 8 channels of HDMI-embedded audio.
• A high-quality, low-latency video feed of the live program from the station via HDMI. Up to two low-latency return video feeds from the studio back to the field.
• Connect to virtually any live professional/consumer video device via 6G-SDI or HDMI 2.0a input, including cameras, routers, pool feeds, switchers, video players, and more.
• Aggregates any mix of cellular, Ethernet, and WiFi.
• Supports up to six embedded LTE or 5G modems. Ships standard with external IP67 rated external LTE antennas (3m cables included) or optional 5G antennas.
• Has the ability to support a mix of 5G (optional) /LTE/4G and 3G modems (internal to the chassis) with external SMA antenna connections (4x SMA per 5G Modem, 2x SMA per LTE modem). The RPS Link allows modem antennas to connect directly to the chassis, simplifying cabling.
• Auto-senses and supports virtually all video formats, including 4K (25/30P), 1080p, 1080i, 720p, NTSC/PAL transmission using HEVC or H.264 VBR or CBR encoding (300K-50Mb/s).
• File upload management; upload files from the field using a connected USB device (thumb drive or HDD/SSD) with file management capability (package dependent).
• Web-based ConfigT interface for local or remote monitoring and control.
• Easily accessible front panel SIM card slots for easy configuration.
• Front panel LCD interface for easy configuration, control, and monitoring.
• Embedded outbound WiFi module with external antenna support (MIMO) for use with IS+ transmissions.
• Embedded HotSpot Wifi module with external antenna support (MIMO) for access point use (Internet connectivity).
• Support for TVU Return Video Feed via rear-panel HDMI port.
• Talkback support uses TVU Voice (2-way voice) or traditional IFB (package dependent).
• Supported as a source when used with TVU Partyline for collaboration.
• Optional dual power supply
• Works seamlessly with the standard TVU RPS decoder.
• The RPS Link encoder easy-to-use browser interface that is accessible using the TVU RPS Web interface or your TVU Command Center account.
• Directly compatible with the TVU Cloud production tools, including TVU Command Center, TVU Producer, TVU Partyline, TVU CloudR, and TVU Channel.

Setup guide

This Setup guide provides instructions to complete the following topics:

• Setting up the TVU RPS VS3500 encoder and RPS decoder
• Logging in to the RPS interface
• Configuring the TVU RPS Link encoder and RPS decoder using the RPS Web interface
• Operating the TVU RPS Link encoder and RPS decoder

Before you begin

Complete the procedures in the TVU RPS Link Hardware Set Up Guide to set up the TVU RPS Link transmitter (encoder) and VS3500 receiver (decoder) hardware.

Logging in to the TVU RPS Link Web interface

After the unit is set up and powered on, monitoring and control of the system are performed with the TVU RPS Link Web interface, which is hosted on the encoder. This interface is also accessible through the Command Center user interface.

To log in to the TVU RPS Link Web interface, have your encoder static IP address available and complete the following procedure.

Log in to the RPS Link Web interface

1. Open a Web browser window and enter:

http://IP_Address/rps/index.html
(Where the IP_Address is your Encoder static IP address)

2. Click Enter. The login pop-up displays.

3. To Log in to the RPS Link Web interface, Enter the following using all lowercase letters:

User ID: tvurps
Password: Enter the last 8-digits of the PID using all caps

4. Click Login. The TVU RPS Link Web interface displays.

TVU RPS Link Web interface

You will use the TVU RPS Link Web interface to monitor and control all aspects of transmission, including real-time previews of all four channels with the Duo 2 card and all six channels with the Quad 2 card, current bitrate, and latency. The RPS Web interface has the following controls and functions.

Encoder controls and functions

(1) The Encoder panel
(2) The Encoder Channel Monitor tab and Slot Monitor tab
(3) Settings menu – The Settings tab/menu
(4) The Return Video panel
(5) The Decoder panel
(6) Bitrate controls

TVU RPS Link Web interface, 6 channel

RPS 4-channel Duo 2 PCI Express card

The Duo 2 PCI Express capture and playback card features 4 independent 3G-SDI connections. The card supports SDI formats in SD and HD up to 1080p60 with the flexibility of 4 separate capture or playback cards in one.

TVU RPS Link Web interface, 4 channel

Accessing the TVU RPS Link Web interface using Command Center

The RPS Link user interface can be added to your Command Center account and accessed from within Command Center. With the Command Center interface, a user can control transmission virtually anywhere.

To access the TVU RPS Link Web interface using Command Center, complete the following steps:

1. Log in to Command Center, click the services navigation icon, and select RPS.

TVU Command Center Web interface

The Command Center RPS page displays.

Command Center RPS interface

1. Select the encoder you want to control in the Device list. The Command Center RPS Web interface displays.

Note: Using the RPS Link Web interface from Command Center does not support video streaming from the encoder to the cloud.

Configuring the encoder and decoder

The TVU RPS Link Web interface allows users to configure the TVU RPS Link encoder and RPS decoder. You can use the following procedures to configure the encoder and decoder.

TVU RPS Link encoder settings

The encoder and decoder setup pages display slightly different information. However, they accomplish the same goals and are accessible using an HDMI out connection, VGA connection, or a web browser. After the RPS VS3500 decoder is powered on and the splash screen briefly appears, the decoder server settings screen displays.

You will use the TVU RPS Web interface to monitor and control all aspects of transmission, including real-time previews of all six channels, current bitrate, and latency.

Complete the remaining steps to configure the TVU RPS Link encoder settings using the RPS Link Web interface:

1. Access the encoder Web interface and click Settings in the upper right pane of the RPS Web interface.
2. Click the Encoder tab at the top of the screen.

The Encoder settings window displays. The Encoder settings screen includes three tabs in the top navigation to access the Encoder settings, Network settings, and Firmware upgrade screens.

The following Network screen provides detailed information about hotspots, WiFi, and modem slots.

Establishing an Internet connection

Notes:

1. IP Addresses can be static or DHCP and assigned to interface eth0, which is used for primary RPS functionality, or assigned to eth1, which is used for the VLAN tunnel.
2. The physical ports Lan1 / Lan2 and logical designations Eth0 and Eth1, are reversed:
   LAN2 = Eth0. Primary communications
   LAN1=Eth1. VLAN tunnel functionality

To set up an internet connection for the encoder using a DHCP or static IP method, complete the following steps:

1. Click the Network tab. Use the default interface setting ‘Eth0’ and ‘IP Method’ in the Ethernet panel if you use DHCP.
2. The IP address, Mask, and Gateway fields should automatically populate. Click the Apply button to save your settings.

3. If you use a static IP address, click the IP Method drop-down menu and select Static. Enter your desired IP address, Mask, and Gateway.
4. Click Apply to save your settings.

VLAN Tunnel configuration overview

By default, VLAN configuration automatically populates. In addition, the VLAN tunnel is designed to be a “set it and forget it” network between the encoder and decoder and distributes IP addresses accordingly using DHCP.

If the user would like to perform an advanced VLAN configuration, the VLAN tunnel settings can be used to network several devices connected to an encoder by using a local switch or to view the encoder Web UI from the decoder network. The VLAN Tunnel supports IP Intercom, IP Tally, or CCU.

Subnet rules:

The IP addresses assigned to eth1 for each side of the VLAN tunnel must be on different subnets. The VLAN tunnel routes between networks.

For example:

• For the encoder, use: 192.168.100.1/255.255.255.0
• For the decoder, use: 192.168.101.1/255.255.255.0

VLAN Tunnel configuration

The VLAN Tunnel setting pane configures the VLAN tunnel functionality by inputting the IP address of the decoder, port, and bandwidth limit (optional). The port is associated with 6532 by default and can be changed if desired. Refer to the TVU port forwarding guidelines for more information.

To change the VLAN tunnel (Router) settings, enter your change(s) in the VLAN tunnel pane and click Apply.

VoIP configuration

The VoIP settings pane allows the user to enter the PID of the decoder into the encoder’s VoIP settings pane to establish communication between the encoder and decoder.

To configure VoIP complete the following steps:

1. In the VoIP pane, enter the full PID number of the encoder.
2. Click the speaker icon to initiate the call.

Private Network configuration

The Private Network configuration panel allows the user to enable the encoder and decoder as a private network.

To configure a private network, complete the following steps:

1. Click the Encoder tab.
2. Click the Status drop-down menu in the Private Network Config pane and select Enable.
3. Point the server to the Decoder by replacing 127.0.0.1 with the Decoder IP address.

4. Click Apply to save your settings.

Output video format

The Output video setting panel allows users to select the output resolution and framerate of all channels from the encoder.

In the Output Video format pane, select a Video format from the drop-down menu and click Apply.

Video status in the encoder settings pane

Users can monitor video input formats and status in the Command Center RPS GUI. Click the Encoder tab to view the status pane. The GUI would show the format of each video input on the Encoder and the received video format for the Return Video.

RPS Link encoder Web interface configuration settings

Open the TVU RPS Link Web interface to configure the encoder settings.

Edit the bitrate and delay

To edit the bitrate and delay settings, complete the following steps:

1. Click the Global Bitrate Value check box in the RPS Web interface.
2. Enter your preferred Bitrate (kbps) value in the provided field and click Apply.

3. Enter your preferred Latency (delay) value in the provided field and click Apply.

4. To select a bitrate control, click the Bitrate Control VBR drop-down menu to select a value:

• VBR + Average Priority (is the preferred default average priority)
• VBR + Channel Priority (is the preferred channel priority)
• CBR (is a fixed or constant bitrate variable)

Editing the CODEC

The H.264 and HEVC (H.265) options allow users to select the preferred CODEC. HEVC allows better throughput with a lower bitrate setting.

To edit the CODEC setting, complete the following steps:

1. Click the drop-down menu and select H.264 or HEVC from the menu.
2. Click the drop-down menu and select CBR or VBR from the menu.
3. Click Apply.

Save, load, and delete profile features

The Load profile feature in the Encoder panel allows users to save encoder profiles for later use. For example, if an encoder is moved from one location to another, the encoder profile settings can be recalled and applied to that specific location.

To save an encoder profile, complete the following steps:

1. Enter your settings in the Encoder pane and click Apply for each change.
2. Enter a Setting name in the Save setting field on the window’s bottom right side. Then, click the Save Setting button.

A pop-up message confirms the saved profile.

3. To load a saved profile, click the Load profile drop-down menu in the Encoder panel and select a saved profile.

Autolive function

If an encoder or decoder is powered off when live, when that encoder powers on again, it will automatically go live with the last receiver it had been live with.

Channel status in the encoder GUI

If there is no network connection on the encoder, the status will display as OFFLINE.

Status indicators are as follows:

• If the encoder is online, the status will display “Standby” in green.
• If the set decoder is connected (and ports are open) to the encoder, the status will remain green but display “Online.”
• A red LIVE status would only appear if a decoder successfully receives the signal.
• If a video input is unplugged during live transmission, that channel will be green and display “Online.”

RPS decoder configuration settings

In the Decoder panel of the RPS Web interface, a user can encode to a single decoder. A user can also encode two separate decoders simultaneously. Encoding to 2 decoders allows users to create 2 independent programs using the same sources.

Set the decoder 1 IP address

To set the decoder IP address, complete the following steps:

1. In the Decoder 1 IP address IP field, enter your primary decoder’s static IP address, source name, or PID.

2. Enter your first port number in the First Port field. The port range default is 10001. You will need 10 ports maximum in a sequence if you want to use another port range.

For example, a new port range would be:
20081-20091 (input would start at port 20081)

IP and port changes are not editable when in live mode.

3. Click Apply.

Set the decoder 2 IP address

1. Enter the Decoder 2 IP address IP field to encode to a secondary decoder. Enter the static IP address, source name, or PID.

2. Enter your first port number in the First Port field. The port range default is 10001. You will need 10 ports maximum in a sequence if you want to use another port range.
3. Click the checkbox to enable the decoder.
4. Click Apply.

Note: both transmissions are unicast to the individual decoder. Extra bandwidth is required to support two outbound transmissions.

Decoder status indicator LEDs

The status indicator LEDs in the Decoder panel indicate the connection status between the encoder and decoder. The status indicators are as follows:

• Green – operational and connected
• Red – offline, or the port is not open

Transmitting to TVU Producer

The RPS to Producer function allows a user to pair four channels of an RPS encoder with TVU Producer. Channels 1-6 are supported and only support 2-channel audio. The encoder is dedicated to transmitting only to TVU Producer and cannot transmit to a second decoder. Please note that when transmitting to TVU Producer, the output will be in CBR mode of Channels 1 to 6 with 2-channel audio.

When a user selects Producer in the Decoder section, the Decoder 1 and 2 options are unavailable and displayed as grayed out. The user is also provided a pop-up window to add their TVU Producer account.

Return Video

In the Return video panel, you can select where the return video feeds come from when using 2 decoders.

1. Click the decoder drop-down menu to select a decoder.

2. To initiate a return video transmission, connect one or two SDI inputs to ports 7 and 8 on the rear panel of the decoder. Then connect one or two SDI inputs to ports 7 and 8 on the rear panel of the encoder.

The encoder to decoder “Return Video” port settings 1 and 2 must be synchronized, for example:

• (1) Port 7 (encoder) to the decoder (port 7)
• (2) Port 8 (encoder) to the decoder (port 8)

Complete the following steps to route the video to the decoder to enable the field to see what is being transmitted.

1. Disable a station video feed in the Return Video pane to enable a preview. The example shows port (2) offline.

2. To enable a bitrate change, check the bitrate check box.

The bitrate can be changed during a live preview.
IMPORTANT: 6 Main transmissions are possible when using 2 Return Video Feeds with 1080i.

The example below shows both stations (1) and (2) offline.

Encode Channel Monitor operations and settings

To start a transmission, complete the following steps:

1. Click the Channel Monitor tab. In the Encode Channel Monitor pane, click Start.

2. You can mouse over the upper left field and rename your channel.

3. To change the individual channel bitrate, uncheck the bitrate check box. Make the bitrate change and click Save.
4. To choose 16-channel audio, select the 16-channel audio check box. Then, click Save.

5. To move your transmission into the Live mode, Click the “Main” Start button. When your production is Live, the Preview window will indicate Live mode in red, and the “Main” button will display “Stop.”

Video preview rules

Typically, active preview configurations are: 6 main + 0 previews, 5 main + 1 preview, and 4 main + 4 previews.
It is possible to run 6 channels, 6 previews and 2 return feeds simultaneously (up to 1080i).

6. If all six sources are active, click the Main Stop button to stop a source. Then, click the Preview Start button to view a new Preview.

RPS Link 4-channel Web interface overview

The RPS Link 4-channel configuration uses the same TVU VS3500 decoder with the Duo 2 card instead of the standard Quad 2 card. The hardware is the same as our standard TVU RPS Transceiver, which comes with the Duo 2 card.

When a Duo 2 card is detected on the system, the main Web interface shows 4 previews instead of the standard 6 previews. The previews for the 4-channel configuration are much larger than the standard 6-channel version, as shown in the following figure.

4-channel preview

The Preview start/stop button was replaced with a preview eye logo. Clicking the eye logo will turn the preview picture On and Off.

The Format, Bitrate, FPS, and Preview (eye logo) display above the preview window.

6-channel preview

The Format, Bitrate, FPS, and Preview display below the preview window.

4 primary live channels

The following figure shows 4 primary live channels.

3 primary channels plus 1 return video

The following figure shows 3 primary channels plus 1 return video.

To enable or disable the return video feed, complete the following steps:

1. Click Stop All to stop all of the primary transmission channels.

If the user tries to enable or disable return video while the primary transmission is still live, the warning message “To change RVF settings, please stop live first” displays.

2. Once the primary live transmission is stopped, the operator can enable or disable the return video feeds as needed.
3. To resume the live primary transmission, click Start All or Start under the Main tab for the individual primary channel.

3 primary channels plus 1 live return video

The following figure shows 3 primary channels and 1 return live video feed where channels 1, 2, and 3 are primary, and channel 4 is the return feed.

2 primary channels plus 2 return video

The following figure shows 2 primary channels and 2 return live video feeds where channels 1 and 2 are primary and 3 and 4 are return feeds.

If the operator is using 2 primary channels and 2 returns and decides to turn ON the primary transmission again on channels 3 and 4, the operator must complete the following steps:

1. Click Stop All. Then, disable the return video feed by unchecking the box under the RETURN VIDEO section.
2. Click Start All.

The message displays “To enable this channel (channel 3), disable Return Video 1” and “To enable this channel (channel 4), disable Return Video 2,” as shown in the following figures.

If the operator uses the return video feed, the SDI IN cables must be removed and replaced with the SDI OUT cables on ports 3 and 4 for both the encoder and decoder.

If the encoder receives SDI video input on ports 3 and 4, the operator must remove the SDI video input cables and connect them to ports 3 and 4 on the decoder.

The SDI out cables connected to ports 3 and 4 on the decoder must be removed and connected to ports 3 and 4 on the encoder to view the return video feed on the SDI monitor.

Use WebRTC for web GUI preview

The RPS Link 4-channel configuration also supports WebRTC for a web GUI preview where the latency for preview is as low as 200 ms.

Low Latency mode for fixed lines

The RPS Link 4-channel configuration supports a low latency mode of up to 0.6 seconds between the encoder and decoder for closed and open networks.

Note: This feature should be possible for both 4 and 6 channel versions.

Chapter 2 – Product Specifications

Server model VS5700 with dual power supply

1RU rack-mounted server model VS3500 with single power supply

TVU RPS Link production solutions and applications

• TVU RPS Link supports 1080p/1080i/720p HD, NTSC, and PAL formats.
• The system uses TVU’s Inverse Statmux Plus (IS+) transmission algorithm for stable, high-quality, low-latency transmissions. The system’s simple web interface gives real-time previews of all six channels. It allows users to monitor and control all aspects of the transmission, including current bit rate and latency.
• TVU RPS Link provides multi-camera remote production for live coverage without the costs associated with expensive dedicated fiber or satellite links, extensive dedicated transmission equipment, and large on-site production crews.
• TVU RPS Link features a VLAN tunnel to allow IP devices in the field to virtually connect to the LAN in the studio, making it ideal for teleprompters, tally, remote cameras, and more.
• TVU’s VoIP solution, TVU Voice, is also compatible with TVU RPS Link, making communication between the field and headquarters easier.

Applications

• 6-Channel Remote Multi-cam or Remote Studio Application
• 4-Channel Remote Multi-cam or Remote Studio Application with – Channel Return Video
• Remote Production System VLAN Tunnel Application – IP Intercom
• Remote Production System VLAN Tunnel Application – IP Tally
• Remote Production System VLAN Tunnel Application – CCU

© Copyright 2024 TVU Networks Corporation. All rights reserved in all media.
Document Part Number: TVU RPS Link Software Setup Guide Rev B EN 03-2024

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