Administrators Guide
Contents
Contents
1 Introduction - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3 Intended audience - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -3 Notation conventions - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -3 IPTV technology - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -3 List of terms - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -4 NBS architecture - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -7 IPTV Combine Overview - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -7 2 System Close-up- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 9 IPTV Combine - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -9 STB Client - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 10 IPTV Combine setup- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 10 3 Usage examples - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 13 Working with the UCC - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 13 Creating TV content - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 15 Creating VoD or nVoD content- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 19 Setting nVoD program schedule - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 21 Creating media group - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 23 Creating a user - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 27 Creating a tariff plan - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 29 Editing tariff plan - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 32 Activating tariff plan - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 33 Changing tariff plan - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 34 Activation code generation- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 35 Making payment- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 36 4 Streamer web interface - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 39 Starting web interface - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 39 DVB section - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 39 RF/RCA section - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 46 Network section - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 49 STB Firmware section - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 51
INTRODUCTION
Intended audience
This manual is intended for IPTV service providers using NetUP IPTV Combine. An overall knowledge of TV broadcasting systems and IP networking is assumed. The document covers basic functionality of NetUP IPTV Combine, as well as the typical necessary actions during its startup, deployment, and operation.
Notation conventions
The following elements are emphasized in the text: Terms (on first occurence);
Interface strings;
Notes; Warnings.
IPTV technology
Interactive TV technology implies TV broadcasting over IP networks (IPTV). As a rule, an IPTV solution includes components to execute the following tasks: Content receiving and processing (see "IPTV" - "Streamer"); Content storage and delivery (see "IPTV" - "VoD"); Content encryption (see "IPTV" - "CAS"); Billing (see "Other terms" - "Billing"); System setting and management (see "IPTV" - "Middleware"); Broadcasting of the content to end users and reproduction (see "IPTV" - "STB").
The main advantages of IPTV include its interactivity and a number of additional services, such as: video on demand (see "IPTV" - "VoD"), time-shifted TV (see "IPTV" - "TVoD"), network personal video recorder (see "IPTV" - "NPVR"), electronic program guide (see "IPTV" - "EPG"), virtual cinema (see "IPTV" - "nVoD"). IP protocol abilities allow to provide a number of interactive services besides just transmitting the video content. IPTV works in IP networks with the use of the following protocols: HTTP or a custom protocol for interactive services organization (user menus, etc.); RTSP (see "Networking" - "RTSP") for controlling broadcasting streams;
List of terms
Below is a list of terms used in the description of IPTV system.
NETWORKING
DNS - Domain Name Service, a distributed hierarchical system that stores IP addresses, domain names and various information associated with them. TCP/IP - Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol, a stack of communication protocols used in computer networks. FTP - File Transfer Protocol, an application level network protocol for file transfer. HTTP - Hypertext Transport Protocol, an application level network protocol for data transfer. RTSP - Real-time Streaming Protocol, an application level network protocol that serves for signalling during the multimedia data transfer. RTP - Real-time Protocol, a transport level network protocol for delivering real-time traffic over IP networks. UDP - User Datagram Protocol, a simple transport level network protocol for data transfer. TCP - Transmission Control Protocol, a transport level network protocol for data transfer with guaranteed delivery. DHCP - Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, a network protocol for obtaining IP addresses and other auxiliary information in TCP/IP networks. IGMP - Internet Group Management Protocol, a network protocol that manages group routing. NTP - Network Time Protocol, a network protocol for synchronizing the internal clocks of computer systems. MAC - Media Access Control, a sub-layer of OSI model that provides addressing and channel access control mechanisms. MAC address - a unique identifier assigned to a device in a network. LAN - Local area network. VLAN - Virtual Local area network, standard 802.1q. NFS - Network File System, a file system distributed among multiple machines. SSL - Secure Socket Layer, a cryptographic protocol for communications over TCP/IP networks. Commutator (switch) - a device joining several nodes within a network. Unicast - transmission of information packets to a single destination. Broadcast - transmission of information packets to all devices in a network. Multicast - transmission of information packets to a certain group of destinations.
Introduction
Multicast group - a group of destinations in a multicast transmission. Multicast router - a router capable of routing multicast streams.
TELEVISION
Polarization - type of the satellite signal polarization (may be vertical, horizontal, circular left, or circular right). Symbol rate - number of transmitted symbols per second. Transponder - an automatic device that may receive and retransmit a signal. LNB converter - Low-Noise Block converter, a device that converts a satellite signal for transmission over a coaxial cable. Receiver - a device that receives a converted satellite signal and transforms it into a form usable for the consumer. DiSEqC - Digital Satellite Equipment Control, a special communication protocol for use between a satellite receiver and other devices. Multiswitch - a device for connecting several receivers to the same satellite dish. CSA - Common Scrambling Algorithm, an encryption algorythm used in DVB. Codec - a device or computer program capable of encoding and/or decoding a digital data stream. MPEG - a suite of data compression standards used for digital multimedia. MPEG TS - MPEG transport stream, a container format used for transmission of multimedia data over networks. MPEG PS - MPEG program stream, a container format used for storage of multimedia data. Audio PID - in a MPEG-encoded file or stream, an identifier of audio data. Video PID - in a MPEG-encoded file or stream, an identifier of video data. H.264 - a standard for video compression (subset of MPEG-4). SD - Standard Definition (resolution of 720x480 or 720x576). HD - High Definition (resolution of 1280x720 or 1920x1080). HDTV - High Definition Television, a standard for high-resolution digital TV broadcasting. DVB - Digital Video Broadcast, a suite of standards for digital television. Includes the following subsets: DVB-S for satellite broadcasting; DVB-S2 for high definition satellite broadcasting; DVB-C for cable broadcasting; DVB-T for terrestrial on-air broadcasting.
RF - a format of analog video signal for on-air transmission. RCA (AV) - a format of analog audio and video signal for short-range cable transmission. S-Video - a format of analog video signal for short-range cable transmission that carries the luminance and colour signals separately. PAL - a colour-encoding system for analog TV accepted in Europe.
Streamer - a device that receives an on-air or other signal and transmits it over an IP network. Particular varieties include DVB-to-IP gateway and MPEG encoder. Middleware - a set of software that controls the interaction between the components of an IPTV solution (streamer, VoD servers, CAS, and user STBs). CAM - Conditional Access Module, a module that provides restricted access to the broadcasted media data. MMI - Machine-Machine Interface, an interface used for interaction between CI and AM. EMM - Entitlement Management Message, an encrypted message stating the users right of access to multimedia data. CI - Common Interface, an interface of interaction with CAM (standard EN 50221). CAID - Conditional Access system ID. VoD - Video on demand. TVoD - Television on demand. nVoD - Near Video on demand (also known as virtual cinema). NPVR - Network Personal Video Recorder. EPG - Electronic Program Guide. PPV - Pay-per-view, a system in which TV viewers can purchase events to be seen on TV. CAS - Conditional Access System, a system that protects the content from unauthorized access. SMS - Subscriber Management System. Time-Shifted TV - TV with pause and rewind options. STB - TV set-top box.
OTHER TERMS
XML - Extensible Markup Language, a markup language for structured texts. RAID - Redundant array of independent disks, a fault-tolerant array of hard disks. Database - a structured collection of data records stored in a computer system. Cluster - a group of linked computers used as a single hardware resourse. DRM - Digital Rights Management, access control technologies used to limit usage of digital media or devices. Billing - a system that collects information about services that are going to be billed to the subscriber. Firmware - a fixed program that internally controls some electronic device. ISO - International Organization for Standardization. ANSI - American National Standards Institute.
Introduction
NBS architecture
NBS (NetUP Business server) is a scalable platform for development of client-server applications used to build the NetUP IPTV Combine. The components of the NBS platform interact via transactions using the application-level NXT (NetUP XML Transaction) protocol. Data encryption and personal authentication are performed via the SSL protocol methods. When dealing with the TV set-top boxes, due to their limited resources, a binary version of the same protocol is used, called NBT (NetUP Binary Transaction). NBT also employs SSL for data encryption and personal authentication. Each transaction may be addressed to one or several components of the system and may contain some events intended for the receiving component to proceed. An event consists of an event type identifier and the accompanying data. NBS guarantees the atomic processing of each transaction. NBS means of clustering and group routing provide a way of easy and transparent scaling (say, an addition of a new VoD server) without stopping the production software.
EPG
Activation system
Streamer
VoD-B/DRM-R
Middleware
VoD server
SYSTEM CLOSE-UP
IPTV Combine
NetUP's IPTV Combine receives live satellite or terrestrial channels directly from antenna (DVB-S/ DVB-S2, DVB-T, RF) or via cable, from a studio or from third-party receivers (as ASI, AV, or S-Video). Analog TV or radio channels (A/V) are handled by real-time MPEG encoders built into the server. Received streams are multiplexed into MPEG-2 Transport Stream and distributed via IP multicast. For more info on configuring a streamer, see Streamer web interface on page 39. NetUP's Video-on-Demand storage supports over 50 concurrent non-encrypted streams at typical MPEG-2 compression rate of 4 Mb/s per stream. Both unicast and multicast modes are supported. Server storage comprises 1 Tbyte SATA-II hard disk or more than 250 movies in DVD quality. Movies are stored in MPEG-2 or MPEG-4 AVC transport stream or program stream - both SD and HD are supported. Video content can be loaded via ftp.Movie descriptions displayed in the Middleware user interface can be synchronized with a central database on the Internet (Media Knowledge Base, www.media-kb.com). The database contains the full and structured information on multimedia content, is multilingual and freely accessible. The VoD server is capable of encrypting the streaming content on the fly in a manner similar to that of CAS. User interface of the Middleware system supports the following services: TV channels Radio Video on Demand (VoD) with the functions of searching by name, filtering by genre, and viewing annotations. Electronic Program Guide.
NetUP's Middleware supports world leading IP set-top boxes: Amino, Telergy, Hansun, D-Link, Teletec, etc. Billing system performs the following functions: subscriber database maintenance; rating of available services; creation and management of tariff plans; creation of accounting documents; access cards management;
STB Client
Graphical user STB interface of NetUP IPTV Combine is designed with the use of native API, which provides an advantage in performance as compared to the browser-based interfaces. NetUP IPTV Combine is compatible with set-top boxes of the following vendors: Amino Technologies (www.aminocom.com); Telergy (www.telergy.eu); Hansun (www.hansuntech.com); D-Link (www.dlink.com); TeleTec (www.teletec.com.ua). Support of set-top boxes of other vendors can be implemented on demand.
Setting up STB Client is described in more detail in STB Client Interface on page 77.
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System Close-up
LCD manager provides a way to monitor the CPU and LAN interface load on the device front panel, as well as to assign IP addresses to network adapters.
Note that your local DNS server should associate the IPTV Combine IP address with mw.netup. If you dont want to set up any interfaces, press Left so that the screen will switch back to statistics. The same will happen if no keys are pressed for 20 seconds. When a wanted interface is selected, press Enter. Then you will be prompted to change current IP address for the chosen interface. Pressing Left and Right gives you a way to select which byte to change (at that, ">" points to the currently selected byte). Pressing Up and Down, correspondingly, increases and decreases the selected byte value by 1.
When the IP address is entered, press Enter. Then you will be prompted to enter the subnet mask. Mask is entered by pressing Up or Down, which increases or decreases the number of bits in the mask determining the subnet address.
After entering the subnet mask, press Enter. Then you will be prompted to keep the changes just made or cancel them. Buttons Left and Right switch between Yes and No, with currently selected option emphasized with brackets. Select Yes to save the settings just made, or press Enter to proceed back to the network interface selection screen.
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Sta t i st i c s sc r e e n
The software contains two statistics screens. The first and principal is the screen listing the amount of traffic through the network adapters. Lower line of the screen presents the total rate of incoming and outgoing traffic separated by /.
Pressing Up switches to the CPU load screen. First number is the total CPU load. Three subsequent numbers give, correspondingly, the portions of CPU load related to user tasks (u), system tasks (s), and awaiting data from the peripherals (w). Pressing Down switches back to the traffic statistics screen.
Pressing Right in any of the statistics screens switches to the network interfaces setup screen. When the settings are done, set up your DNS server (via its config file) to associate the IP address just entered with mw.netup domain name.
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USAGE EXAMPLES
This chapter contains typical scenarios of NetUP IPTV Combine usage. All actions are performed via the interfaces of United Control Center (UCC) which itself is described in the first example Working with the UCC on page 13. Initial setup of the IPTV Combine generally includes the following operations: content creation (see Creating TV content on page 15, Creating VoD or nVoD content on page 19, and Setting nVoD program schedule on page 21); users creation (see Creating a user on page 27); tariff plan creation (see Creating a tariff plan on page 29 and Editing tariff plan on page 32); tariff plan activation (see Activating tariff plan on page 33 and Changing tariff plan on page 34); making payment (see Making payment on page 36).
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6. After all parameters are entered, press the button to start one of the control interfaces:
Middleware Billing E-VoD VOD-B/DRM-R Activation system
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Usage examples
The computer must have valid system date and time set, otherwise the system may work incorrectly.
Creating TV content
To control the users access to TV channels broadcast by the streamer, a corresponding TV content must be created in the NetUP IPTV Combine. Below is a model pattern of creating a TV content, which may be customized to meet particular circumstances. 1. Start the Middleware system interface from the UCC. 2. On the left pane select Media, then Media content. Media contents tab with a list of existing contents will appear.
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5. Press Apply
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Usage examples
In any of the systems, if you are missing some items (media content, media groups, etc.) created recently in other system, press Refresh in the context menu, or restart the control interface. 6. Now it is necessary to bind the content just created with the certain channel transmitted by the streamer. Media stream is an audio or video stream, either open or encrypted, going to the IP network. On the transport level, it is a MPEG-2 Transport Stream. To create a media stream, on the left pane select Media, then Media streams. Media streams tab with a list of existing media streams will appear.
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9. Press Apply
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Usage examples
10. Select from the list the media stream just created and press Edit
stream page will show up.
11. In the Media content fold-in group change the Till value to the date in the future. In the same group, under Media content select the newly created TV content. It is recommended to set the Till date to the remote future (say, 2033) in order to ensure it will not come while the content is still in use. Anyway, the users rights to view the content are determined via other parameters set in other interfaces. 12. Press Apply . Now the new TV content is bound with the media stream you need.
Further probably appropriate actions are described in the examples Creating media group on page 23 and Creating a tariff plan on page 29.
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3. Press Add
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Usage examples
4. Specify the following parameters of the media content being created:
Field name Staff name State Type Code Name Summary (Not necessary) Description (Not necessary) Genre (Not necessary) Image Run time Language Sound mix Value Leave default: iptv-middleware Active VOD Leave default (assigned automatically) Name under which the new content will appear in the system Annotation that is displayed in the client STB interface. Media content description Genres of the media content (a list with an option of multiple choice) Do not download Do not fill Do not fill Do not fill
5. Press Apply
6. Upload the media file in transport stream format to the VoD server and place it at /mnt/vod/. At that, the file should have media content code for name and .ts for extension, like 204.ts. If the content is intended for nVoD service, set up the program schedule for it. This is described in Setting nVoD program schedule. Following probably appropriate actions are described in the examples Creating media group on page 23 and Creating a tariff plan on page 29.
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3. Enter the time of operation for one or more periods in hh:mmhh:mm format at the rows corresponding to the days when you want the content to be transmitted. Names of the periods (morning, day, evening and night) are conventional and should not be understood literally. Each of the periods may be set up to start or end at any time. 4. Press Apply to save the periods just entered.
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Usage examples
5. On the left pane select Media, then Broadcast schedules. The Broadcast schedules tab will show up:
6. Press Add
7. Select the media content from the dropdown list. 8. Enter the time intervals to columns of the corresponding days. If the content should be broadcast at several periods during the day, the corresponding intervals are to be entered comma-separated. 9. Press Apply to save the changes.
Following probably appropriate actions with the content are described in the examples Creating media group and Creating a tariff plan on page 29.
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3. Press Add
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Usage examples
5. Under Type, use the dropdown list to select the type of content to be gathered in the new group, i.e. TV or VoD.
Figure 20. Media groups tab with the new group just created.
6. Press Apply
7. Start the Billing system interface from the UCC. 8. On the left pane select Media, then Media content. Media contents tab with a list of existing contents will appear. The Filter input field provides the ability of filtering by name in one of the following regimes: All words, Entire phrase, or At least one word. The regime to apply is selected via the context menu.
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Usage examples
11. Select the new media group and press Apply group. Following probably appropriate actions with the newly created media group are described in the example Creating a tariff plan on page 29. . The content will be assigned to this
Creating a user
Below is a model pattern of creating a new user (AKA customer), which may be customized to meet particular circumstances. 1. Start the Billing system interface from the UCC. 2. On the left pane select Customers. The Customers tab will show up.
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4. Enter the Login and Password for the new user. 5. Select customers Type (either a Person or a Legal entity). 6. Press Add to add new person or a legal entity.
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Usage examples
7. Fill up the needed fields with the info about the new person or legal entity.
8. Press Apply
9. Close the Add user tab. The most likely following action with the newly created user is described in the example Activating tariff plan on page 33.
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3. Add
new tariff plan. The New tariff plan tab will appear.
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Usage examples
4. Enter the tariff plan name. 5. Unfold the group corresponding to the media type of your choice (VoD services, TV services, etc.) 6. To add content items one-by-one (i.e. if the media content is not gathered into groups, see Creating media group on page 23): 6.1. Press Add in this group.
Blockable State
6.3. Repeat steps 6.16.2 as needed to add more content. 7. Alternatively, if the content is gathered into groups, add the groups as follows: 7.1. Unfold VoD Tariff templates or an analog with other content type. 7.2. Press Add to add a line into the table.
7.4. Press Generate services. Every content item in the group will be assigned the given price and added to the tariff plan. 8. Press Apply to finalize the addition of content.
9. In the State dropdown list change the tariff plan state from Setting up to Active. 10. Press Apply to save the new tariff plan.
11. Close the New tariff plan page. The most likely following action with the newly created tariff plan is described in the example Activating tariff plan on page 33.
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4. In the State dropdown list change the tariff plan state to Setting up. 5. Press Apply to save the changes.
While the tariff plan is in the Active state, all other control elements on this page are disabled, so it is impossible to edit the plan. 6. If needed, add some content items or groups to the tariff plan as described in Creating a tariff plan at steps 67.
If some media content belongs to two or more different groups which attempt to set different price for it, you will notice question mark in the newly created list next to the price of this item. By right-clicking on the question mark, you may specify which of the tariffs is to be applied for this particular item (by default, the lower-price one is assumed). 7. If needed, alter some items in the tariff plan and press Apply to save the changes.
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Usage examples
8. If needed, remove some services as follows: 8.1. Change the State of the item in question to Setting up. A service can not be removed while in the Active state. 8.2. Press Apply 8.3. Press Remove 8.4. Press Apply to save the changes. to remove the service. to save the changes. to save the changes.
(initially empty). 5. Press Add in the fold-in panel Activated tariff plans in order to add new tariff plan to
the list (initially empty). 6. Select the tariff plan from the dropdown menu.
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8. Press Apply
9. If necessary, repeat the procedure to define alternative tariff for other period. Further operations are described in the examples Activation code generation on page 35 and
Making payment on page 36.
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Usage examples
5. In the Activated tariff plans list select the currently enabled plan and press Disable .
6. Press Apply
While the tariff plan is enabled, it is impossible to set up another plan covering the same period. 7. Press Add in the Activated tariff plans fold-in panel.
8. Set the start and end dates for the new plan. 9. Select the new plan from the dropdown list. 10. Press Apply to save the changes.
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5. Press Apply
Making payment
To view the IPTV content, a user must have above-zero balance. Below is a model pattern of making a payment. 1. Start the Billing system interface from the UCC. 2. On the left pane select Customers. The Customers tab will show up.
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Usage examples
3. Select the customer to whom you intend to make a payment and press Make payment button (or a similar context menu item). The New payment page will show up.
4. If the selected customer has several accounts associated, selected the necessary one via the dropdown menu. 5. Enter the amount of payment. 6. Select the payment currency, if applicable. 7. Press Apply to make the payment.
Now the services included in the customers tariff plan are available for use. Operations that might be required in the future are listed in the examples Editing tariff plan on page 32 and Changing tariff plan on page 34.
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Web interface is intended for streamdec server setup and also for the following functions: 1. Firmware upgrade of IP STB devices. 2. Review of access cards parameters. 3. Files upload (for example, of united Middleware and VoD control center). Start your browser and type the IP address just entered via the LCD manager (say, http://10.4.0.1). Alternatively, if your DNS server is already set up accordingly, type simply http://mw.netup. You will be prompted to enter login and password. The default values are: login admin and password 123456. It is strongly recommended to change the password immediately after logging in for the first time. This can be done in the System section of the web interface. Web interface contains the following sections of NetUP streamer settings: 1. DVB DVB adapter settings; 2. RF/RCA analog adapter settings; 3. ASI (optional) ASI adapter settings; 4. Network network interfaces settings; 5. STB Firmware upgrades of IP STB devices firmware; 6. System system settings; 7. Files united control center upload; 8. Update IPTV Combine firmware upgrade; 9. Help online help. By default, the DVB section shows up first.
DVB section
DVB section displays the full list of DVB adapters installed in the system together with their current state. Below is the explanation by column.
Adapter number of the adapter in the system, starting from 0. Hardware adapter state (OK / Failed). Service software state (Running / Stopped).
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Note that the column headers are clickable. Clicking on the column header sorts the records by this column. Second click on the same header reverses sort order.
Actions lists possible operations with the adapter, including:
Configure switch to Configure screen (see Configure page on page 41) to set up basic adapter parameters; Channels tune channels; EPG switch to the Electronic Program Guide (EPG) screen (see EPG page on page 46); Start Service start service if it is not running; Stop Service stop service if it is running.
Note that stopping service stops transmitting video stream to network from this adapter.
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This block (refreshed automatically each 2 seconds) displays current state of the adapter, including the following parameters:
Service Status shows current state of the service (Running or Stopped); Adapter Status shows adapter state, including:
* *
SIGNAL presence of the signal (red means no signal); CARRIER presence of the carrier frequency (red means no carrier);
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When the system works correctly, all indicators are green. Red means that the incoming signal is either missing or corrupted.
Signal Level shows the signal level (the more the better); Bytes Read shows received bytes count since last restart.
Adapter Settings
This block contains controls for frequency, polarization and other signal parameters:
Frequency incoming signal frequency (MHz); Symbol Rate rate of symbol transfer; Polarization polarization type; Count number of frames processed at once; Character Set character encoding for channel names and other auxiliary information; Tone enables a special 22 kHz tone to control the equipment.
Note that changing frequency leads to instant nulling of channel settings for the given adapter.
LNB Settings
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http://www.netup.tv/en-EN/
This block lists the parameters of connection to MySQL database that stores the program guide: database Name, Host (database server name or IP address), Port number, User Name, Password, and Socket path to the UNIX socket (required only if the database and streamer share the same machine).
Middleware
This block contains controls for the following parameters: Host (Middleware server name or IP address), Port number, Login, Password, path to the Key Store, Key Store Password and Key Store Pass Phrase. Key store and password to it are provided to you on purchase of the system.
Paths
This block contains paths to temporary files of the following types: Path to EIT files
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Descrambling
* * *
Internal standard built-in newcamd server; CI Common Interface (EN50221), which option is required if a CAM module is used; External external newcamd server, which requires also the remaining (otherwise disabled) parameters:
Server Host external newcamd server name or IP address; Server Port port number.
Channels page
This page lists all channels found by the DVB adapter.
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The list begins with the channels that are already streaming, if any. For them, multicast IP addresses and port numbers are also shown. Below follow channels that are not configured yet (with Not configured mark instead of IP address). To set up the channel, click on the block header to unroll and set the required parameters.
On pressing Save the parameters of this channels are saved. If you want to stop the streaming of the channel, press Unconfigure.
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Note that this page will show up correctly only if the EPG Database Settings are configured. Each program is accompanied with the following information: Event ID (unique ID of the program; last five figures contain ID of the program in the stream), Start Time, Duration, Language, and Program (name and brief description of the program).
RF/RCA section
RF/RCA section displays the list of all installed analog adapters and their state.
Adapter column shows number of the adapter in the system. Hardware shows adapter state (OK / Failed). Service shows software state (Running / Stopped). Channel shows the description of the signal as given in the adapter parameters. IP/Port shows the multicast IP address and port number to where the video stream is translat-
ed.
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Note that the column headers are clickable. Clicking on the column header sorts the records by this column. Second click on the same header reverses sort order.
Actions shows possible operations with the adapter, including:
Configure switches to Configure screen (see Configure page on page 48) to set up basic
adapter parameters;
Start Service starts service if it is not running; Stop Service stops service if it is running.
Note that stopping service stops streaming video to network from this adapter.
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This block (refreshed automatically each 2 seconds) displays current state of the adapter. In particular, Service Status is either Running or Stopped.
Adapter Settings
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Multicast Settings
This block contains controls to enter the IP address and port number for multicasting.
Network section
Network section gives the full list of installed network adapters together with their state.
Interface column lists the system names of the adapters. Status lists the adapter state (ON / OFF). MAC lists MAC addresses of network adapters. IP lists the adapters IP addresses. Multicast contains radio button that selects the adapter appointed for translation of multicast
streams. Note: To select another adapter for multicasting just click next to its name in this column.
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Actions column lists the possible operations with the given adapter:
Configure configure adapter. DHCP set up DHCP for this adapter. Statistics show graphical load statistics for this adapter.
To set the default gateway, enter 0.0.0.0 for Destination and also 0.0.0.0 for Mask.
Configure page
This page contains configuration options of network adapter.
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This block shows the adapters system name and MAC address;
IP Addresses
Contains IP addresses assigned to this adapter. To remove any address, press Remove button next to it. To change an address, type it in the input field and press Save.
Add IP
To assign an additional IP address for the adapter, type address and subnet mask into the corresponding input fields and then press Add.
Enable starts the mcastbootd daemon that performs remote firmware upgrade of IP STB boxes on demand. Disable stops the mcastbootd daemon. Service Status shows the mcastbootd status (enabled or disabled). Interface allows to select interface on which mcastbootd is to be started. Bootstrap image browses to the firmware uploader image. Bootstap image serial shows the current uploader version. Filesystem image browses to the firmware image. Filesystem image serial shows the current firmware version. Upload button uploads all selected files.
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and
Firmware for AmiNET 130
Files section
This section is intended for uploading of the United control center archive.
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System section
This section allows to change the administrator's password. To do so, type the new password twice in the New Password and Retype New Password fields and press Save.
Help section
This section contains online help on the system.
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MIDDLEWARE SYSTEM
The Middleware system contain interfaces to the following entities:
Media groups (with add/remove access); Media content (with add/modify/remove access); Media streams (with add/modify/remove access); Access cards (read-only).
Media groups
Media group is intended to collect together items of media content in order to effectively improve group operations with them (such as to add to the tariff plan or to set a price for). The interface consists of the following pages:
Media groups displays the list of existing groups together with their parameters. The settings
governing the representation of any particular parameter may be tuned via the Columns item in the context menu. The list of parameters include: ID; Mask; Name; Type. and Remove buttons for operations with media groups are available.
The Add
The attribution of content to either group can be performed via the Billing interface (see Billing system Media content on page 63). Creation of an example media group and dealing with
Media content
Media content is a record about a single unit of content (TV or VoD) which may be referred to in respect to the customers tariff plans. The interface consists of the following pages:
Media content displays the list of existing content units together with their parameters. The
settings governing the representation of any particular parameter may be tuned via the Columns item in the context menu. The list of parameters include:
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The Filter input field provides a way of filtering by name. There is also a dropdown list for selection by group. The media content state is emphasized by color, with green for Active, blue for Setting up and yellow for Obsolete. The Add available.
New media content (opens on pressing Add
, Edit
, and Remove
related to the selected content unit. Creation of media content of different types and subsequent setting of the related options is described in Creating TV content on page 15, Creating VoD or nVoD content on page 19, and Setting nVoD program schedule on page 21.
Media streams
Media stream is a record about a certain IP address or a pool of addresses from which a streamer is broadcasting content into an IP network. Normally it has to be associated with some media content. The interface consists of the following pages:
Media streams displays the list of existing media streams together with their parameters. The
settings governing the representation of any particular parameter may be tuned via the Columns item in the context menu. The list of parameters include:
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Middleware system
Protocol; State; From; Till; Media content. input field provides a way of filtering by name. , Edit , and Remove buttons for operations with media streams are
tent related to the selected media stream. The creation of media stream and its association with media content are described in Creating TV content on page 15.
Access cards
The read-only list of access cards is added to the Middleware interface to have the quick access to the information on existing access cards and their associated tariff plans. Complete interface to the list of access cards is included in Billing (see Billing system Access cards on page 63).
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58
VOD SYSTEM
The E-VoD system contain interfaces to the following entities:
Media groups (read-only); Media content (read-only); Media streams (with add/modify/remove access); Broadcast periods (with add/modify/remove access); Broadcast schedule (with add/modify/remove access).
Media groups
The read-only list of media groups is added to the E-VoD interface to have the quick access to the information on existing groups and the types of content included in them. Complete interface to media groups belongs to the Middleware system (see Middleware system Media groups on page 55), while the attribution of media content to groups is made via Billing (see Billing system Media content on page 63).
Media content
The read-only list of media content is added to the E-VoD interface to have the quick access to the information on existing content. Complete interface to media content belongs to the Middleware system (see Middleware system Media content on page 55).
Media streams
Media stream in a VoD context is a record about a certain IP address or a pool of addresses from which VoD content is transmitted into an IP network. The interface consists of the following pages:
Media streams displays the list of existing media streams together with their parameters. The
settings governing the representation of any particular parameter may be tuned via the Columns item in the context menu. The list of parameters include:
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of a new media stream. Media stream created for VoD transmission does not need to be associated with any media content.
Broadcast periods
The Broadcast periods page lists (for each day independently) the time periods of validity of certain VoD transmission intervals, as they are entered on the Broadcast schedule page. Names of the periods ("morning", "day", "evening" and "night") are conventional and should not be understood literally. Each of the periods may be set up to start or end at any time. Term of validity of each period may be entered as hh:mm-hh:mm (from start till end) or as +hh:mm (duration, starting from the end of the previous period).
Broadcast schedule
The Broadcast schedule page contains the list of VoD content and its schedule. Schedule is entered in a form of time intervals between transmission starts, set independently for each day and for each broadcast period. Intervals may be entered as hh:mm or hh. Several intervals for different periods within one day, should a need arise, are entered comma-separated. The Add media content the schedule are available. Setting up the broadcast schedule is described in the example Setting nVoD program schedule on page 21.
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BILLING SYSTEM
The Billing system contains interfaces to the following entities:
Customers (with add/modify/remove access); Tariff plans (with add/modify/remove access); Media groups (read-only). Media content (with the possibility to edit group membership). Currency rates; Access cards; Documents; Reports.
Customers
The customers list contain records about particular customers together with their personal data and provided services. The interface consists of the following pages:
Customers page displays the list of existing clients together with their parameters. The set-
tings governing the representation of any particular parameter may be tuned via the Columns item in the context menu. The list of parameters include: ID; Login; Name; Comments. ,
The operations with the customers are performed by means of the buttons Add
Edit
, Remove
account information.
a new customer, which are: Login; Password; Type; Roles; Comments; Personal information (a number of fields and their meanings depend on the client type, which may be either a person or a legal entity).
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Creation of a new customer record and subsequent operations with it are described in Creating a user on page 27, Activating tariff plan on page 33, Changing tariff plan on page 34, and Making payment on page 36.
Tariff plans
The interface consists of the following pages:
Tariff plans page displays the list of existing tariff plans together with their parameters. The settings governing the representation of any particular parameter may be tuned via the Columns item in the context menu. The list of parameters include:
ID; Name; State. , Edit , and Remove buttons for operations with tariff plans are avail-
lated to a new tariff plan, including the user charge and list of services.
Edit tariff plan (opens on pressing Edit
lated to the selected tariff plan, including the user charge and list of services. Before any changes are made, the state of the plan should be switched to Setting up. Creation and editing of a tariff plan is described in Creating a tariff plan on page 29 and Editing tariff plan on page 32.
Media groups
The read-only list of media groups is added to the Billing interface to have the quick access to the information on existing groups and the types of content included in them. Creation of media groups is performed via the Middleware system (see Middleware system Media groups on page 55), while the attribution of media content to groups is made via Billing (see Media content on page 63).
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Billing system
Media content
The Billing interface contains the following pages for working with media content:
Media content lists the existing media content units, like at Middleware system Media content on page 55, though read-only. Media content groups (opens on pressing Edit groups in the context menu on the previous
page) allows to attribute any content to some group. Including the media content into the group is described in Creating media group on page 23.
Currency rates
The Currency rates pages allows to enter the exchange rates for predefined currency pairs to be used in internal calculations.
Access cards
Access card is an ssl certificate intended to establish an encrypted connection with Middleware server, as well as for the authorization and identification of the user. Access cards are generated by NetUP. The interface consists of the following pages:
Access cards page displays the list of existing access cards together with their parameters.
The settings governing the representation of any particular parameter may be tuned via the Columns item in the context menu. The list of parameters include: Number; Term of validity; Organization; City; E-mail; PIN; Name; Role mask; State. fold-in group provides the options of filtering by name, by term of validity, or
Active access cards are emphasized in the list with green color.
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STB SETUP
STB firmware style (including images, text messages, etc.) may be updated by the client. The guidelines for altering and uploading user styles are given below (see Updating user style). The complete firmware update is performed by specialized software which is available for STBs of certain manufacturers. See the details in Firmware update: Amino AmiNet on page 69 and Firmware update: D-Link on page 75.
The default_style.ini file, as well as other style and image files, are supplied together with Middleware or separately on request. 2. Enter the new image file name and message text alignment: [splash_screen] file=":new_splash.gif" alignment="right" 3. Save the file as style.ini.
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The rcc resource compiler is a part of the Qt development kit which may be downloaded from http://www.qtsoftware.com/.
Changing image
To change one of the interface images (in the given example it is the lock screen image): 1. Find the image file you intend to change by browsing through the images of the default theme. 2. Find the record related to this image in the default style file default_style.ini: [label_login2] styleSheet="background-image: url(:/user2.gif); borderstyle: inset;background-repeat: no repeat; backgroundposition: center;" 3. Enter the new image file name: [label_login2] styleSheet="background-image: url(:/user22.gif); borderstyle: inset;background-repeat: no repeat; backgroundposition: center;" 4. Save the file as style.ini. When multiple changes are made to the default style, naturally, they all must be saved in one style.ini file. 5. Create design.qrc file with the following contents: <RCC> <qresource prefix="/" > <file>style.ini</file> <file>user22.gif</file> </qresource> </RCC>
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STB setup
6. Compile the resource file: rcc -binary design.qrc -o style.rcc
Changing color
To change one of the interface message colors (in the given example it is the color of the MAC address line from the network information screen): 1. Find the description of the screen in question in the default style file default_style.ini: [label_ifconfig_mac_value] text="MAC address" styleSheet="background-color: #344752; font-size: 13px; font-family: tahoma" 2. Enter the new color: [label_ifconfig_mac_value] text="MAC address" styleSheet="background-color: #FF00FF; font-size: 13px; font-family: tahoma" 3. Save the file as style.ini. 4. Create design.qrc file with the following contents: <RCC> <qresource prefix="/" > <file>style.ini</file> </qresource> </RCC> 5. Compile the resource file: rcc -binary design.qrc -o style.rcc
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The mfsrv executable file is supplied together with Middleware or separately on request. The update file is sent over the network as a UDP multicast stream to the given multicast (by default, 224.2.2.4, port number 2222). Client intending to receive that file sends an IGMP request to be included in the said group, and starts receiving the file. The use of multicast allows to transmit a file to an arbitrary number of clients using just one stream. Client performs the update only if the supplied firmware version is newer (by version number) than the already existing one. The user styles will be updated at next STB reboot.
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STB setup
Firmware update: Amino AmiNet
Mass update
Centralized update of the STBs firmware is performed with multicast distribution by the means of mcastbootd daemon as soon as new versions become available. On the moment of startup each STB checks the version number of firmware being distributed. If this version is newer than the present one, the STB proceeds with downloading and installing it. The update consists of two files, namely bootstrap.signed (kernel and installation scripts) and mc2.mcfs (image of the file system). The mcastbootd daemon is started as follows: ./mcastbootd - <path to mcastbootd.conf>
The mcastbootd.conf config file contains paths to the update files, multicast IP addresses for which they are intended, version number, and other parameters. The paths must correspond to the actual files locations, and the IP addresses must comply with those stated in the DHCP settings (see DHCP settings on page 70). Version number must be increased with each revision. The rest of parameters may be left with the values as in the example below. [Server] LogLevel=4 [Image /usr/local/amino/images/bootstrap.signed] MulticastIPAddress=225.50.50.50 MulticastUDPPort=11111 FileName=/usr/local/amino/images/bootstrap.signed Description=Linux bootstrap image ImageType=1 PacketSize=1456 CycleTime=0 [Filesystem mc2] MulticastIPAddress=225.50.50.51 MulticastUDPPort=11111 ImageName=mc2 Description=upgrade filesystem SerialNumber=280 DirsPerCycle=128 DataRate=256 In order to ensure their legitimate origin, all distributed files are signed with a certain private key and verified with the corresponding public key that is stored on each STB. The private key is used and kept by the STB vendor, and typically is not supplied to the user. In case any of the firmware files becomes corrupted due to the download fault or some other reason, upon detecting that the STB would download the version which is currently distributed via mcastbootd.
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DHCP settings
The DHCP server, among other duties, informs the STBs about the IP addresses that the firmware updates come from. STBs of various models (or at different steps of upgrade) may require different updates and, consequently, must be recognized by their ID strings and directed to various IPs. Below is a fragment of an example dhcpd.conf config file: class "AmiNET110 mboot" { If the STB if on the first stage of update, match if (option vendor-class-identifier ="aminoAMINET11xmboot") or ((substring(option vendor-encapsulated-options, 2, 9) ="AMINET11x") and (substring(option vendor-encapsulated-options, 13, 5 ="mboot")); it is provided with the IP address and port number to download bootstrap.signed: vendor-option-space AMINO; option AMINO.address 225.50.50.50; option AMINO.port 11111; } class "AmiNET110 upgrd" {
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STB setup
On the next stage, match if (option vendor-class-identifier ="Aminoaminet110upgrd") or ((substring( option vendor-encapsulatedoptions,2,9) ="aminet110") and (substring( option vendor-encapsulatedoptions,13,5) ="upgrd")); it is directed to another address to download mc2.mcfs: vendor-option-space AMINO; option AMINO.address 225.50.50.51; option AMINO.port 11111; } class "AmiNET110 fisys" { Finally, when the upgrade is over (or if it was not needed from the very beginning), match if (option vendor-class-identifier ="Aminoaminet110fisys") or ((substring( option vendor-encapsulated-options, 2, 9) ="aminet110") and (substring(option vendor-encapsulated-options, 13,5) ="fisys")); the AMINO.address and AMINO.port parameters are not set; instead, the STB is provided with the time zone setting for further work: vendor-option-space AMINO; option AMINO.timezone="MSK-3MSD-4,M3.5.0/2,M10.5.0/2"; }
Forced update
The STBremoteconf utility allows to send update command to a particular STB. It may be worthwhile to use if the STB must be updated immediately, or in case of multicast update failure or some other faults. All transmitted commands must be signed with the special private key (different from that used to sign the update files). This key is supplied to the user by the firmware vendor, that is, by NetUP in case if the NetUP STB client firmware is used. The STBremoteconf utility requires the setting of an environment variable named STBKEY containing the path to the private key file: STBKEY=/hd3/itv/amino_new/conf/keys/amino/STBrc-KEY.private
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The connection cable must be attached to the slot named below with its missing pin facing the square hole.
Amino 110 Amino 125 Amino 130 J7 J4 J7
When wired to a PC via direct cable connection, the STB may be controlled with a terminal program.
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STB setup
The system must have virtual COM port driver installed. The connection parameters are:
Speed (bit/s) Data bits Parity Stop bits 115200 8 None 1
Reboot the STB with the cable connected. After some booting messages, the following prompt will appear: Hit ENTER to stop normal operation ... I> To display the list of available commands, type help: I>help Amino Communications IntActOS-32 v1.44 on AMINET11x with 32Mb RAM Processor: 51510950 running at 252.000 MHz bootos,cache,configure,go,help,time,rem,reset,show,sprog testled change,copy,delete,details,device,dir,format, fs,load,makefs,rename,run,save,type,verify mputgif,setavc mboot To display the list of parameters, type show all: I>show all Locked : 00 BoxID : 701608F017310 BoardRev : 2 VideoMode : 1 OutFormat : 0 RFChan : 166 RFMode : 2 RFFreqTbl : 0 CAID : F0F0F0F0 NDSSoftwareVersion : 00000000 NDSDriverVersion : 00 ManufacturerID : 1D STBModelType : 01 HardwareVersion : 01
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STB setup
Firmware update: D-Link
Mass update
Centralized update of the STBs firmware is performed with multicast distribution as soon as new versions become available with the use of program named amfus. On the moment of startup each STB checks the firmware version being distributed and downloads it in case it is newer than the present one. The distribution utility takes the config file name, as well as the target multicast address and port from the command line parameters. ./amfus -d netup.conf -m 226.1.2.5:1000 The multicast IP address and port number must correspond to those used by the client program, which are: With standard D-Link firmware: 239.60.8.1:37732; With NetUP firmware for D-Link: 226.50.50.120:1000; With mcup (see below Forced update): 226.1.2.5:1000. The example config file netup.conf is presented below: kernel vmlinuz V1.05.101 1609816 ab0fb169f14458c680901137cc5dae58 a0_rootfs dib120-netup-fs.img V1.05.102 13783040 03975f13fe83380d650755b2b1c62f78 It contains the names of partitions where to place update files (kernel and a0_rootfs) and the names of those files (vmlinuz and dib120-netup-fs.img) together with their version numbers, sizes and md5 control sums. First of the two files is the kernel, and second is the file system image. The names of partitions described in /proc/mtd must correspond to those given above, otherwise the update is impossible. One probable solution to this problem is described below in Changing partitions names.
Forced update
If the automatic multicast upgrade fails for any reason, connect to the STB by telnet and start the mcup program (having previously copied it to the STB, if necessary). This program will perform firmware update by downloading the new version from the multicast address 226.1.2.5:1000.
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change the name of mtd2 partition to kernel; 6. Copy /proc/mtd and /proc/meminfo files over their previous location. If the telnet connection to STB is impossible, then requesting instructions from the vendor remains the only valid option.
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STB Client's interface is reproduced on the TV screen by the means of the set-top box and can be enabled or disabled by pressing Menu button of the remote control. While the interface is on, current video content continues to run and is visible in the background, though partially shaded. Web interface enables the customer to: Select and view TV channels; Select, order and view movies from VoD servers; Select show time and view movies from the Virtual Cinema servers; Set language and interface settings, select the tariff plan to switch to, view financial statement; Control the process of viewing movies and TV programs. All of the above is made via the seet-top box remote control panel. At first launch the user is prompted to enter the activation number. On subsequent launches the authorization is performed automatically.
After authorization one of the user interface screens will show up.
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Interface screens are split into several section depending on the functionality included. The top-level menu section placed at the left is shared by all screens. As a rule, the remote control buttons Up and Down serve to switch between menu items of the same level, while Right and Left are used to switch between menu levels and open the selected menu item. Other remote control buttons may possess specific meanings which are described in each screen separately.
Viewing TV channels
The TV channel selection and viewing interface is composed of two screens. The Available screen lists all available channels and provides an Add to favorites option. Description of the highlighted channel is shown in the bottom part of the screen.
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Viewing VoD
The movies selection and ordering interface is composed of four windows. At first, a movie has to be ordered. This can be done using the Order by group, Order by
genre and Order by name windows. The latter is equipped with a virtual keyboard. To enter the
movie name, move around the keyboard with the navigation keys and switch between upper and lower cases with the yellow functional key. The description of the highlighted movie is shown in the bottom part of the screen.
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The Available movies screen lists the already ordered movies. To view a movie, select it among the list and press OK. The movie will start reproducing.
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minutes ago.
Once a show is selected, the reminder string with the indicator of time left will show up at the main menu. If an already started show is selected, the reproduction will start immediately.
Personal account
The interface of account options consists of three screens, namely Information, Replace tariff plan, and Financial report.
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Figure 68. Information screen. Replace tariff plan provides the interface for switching to another tariff plan by selecting it
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Settings
The settings interface consists of two windows, namely Lock screen and Network Information.
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Figure 71. Screen locking window. Network Information lists the IP address, subnet mask, MAC address of the STB and the
middleware IP address.
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+7 495 543 9220 +7 499 143 5521 Russia, Moscow, Olof Palme str. 1, sect. 7 119311, Russia, Moscow, P.O. Box #87 info@netup.tv
http://www.netup.tv