ArgoNavis
Quad ASI
Multi-Viewer and
Monitoring System
Installation
and
User Guide
Version 10.1.0.x
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Table of Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................... 3
Multi-Viewer Features .......................................................................................................................... 3
Monitoring and Logging Features ......................................................................................................... 3
Physical Connections ...................................................................................................................................... 4
System Specifications ..................................................................................................................................... 4
Starting SDI VANC Multi-Viewer and Monitor ................................................................................................ 6
Managing the Platform .............................................................................................................................. 6
Launching the Application ......................................................................................................................... 7
DVB Channel Support and Block Diagram ................................................................................................. 8
Number of Programs supported ........................................................................................................... 8
Configuring the Multi-Viewer and Monitor Settings ...................................................................................... 9
Settings: DVB ASI Monitor Name ............................................................................................................... 9
Settings: Monitor Alerts........................................................................................................................... 10
Black Frame/Freeze Frame Monitoring .............................................................................................. 10
708 Caption Packet Loss Monitoring .................................................................................................. 10
608 Caption Packet Loss Monitoring .................................................................................................. 11
Settings: Channels to Monitor ................................................................................................................ 11
Settings: LKFS Monitor ............................................................................................................................ 12
Alerts: Max Files to Store in Folder (Screen Shots) ................................................................................. 13
Alerts: Max Files to Store in Folder (Screen Shots) ................................................................................. 13
Settings: Enable E-Mail Alerts ................................................................................................................. 14
Exchange Server Settings .................................................................................................................... 15
SMTP Server Settings .......................................................................................................................... 15
Click the ‘dash’ to minimize the client to the taskbar. ................................................................................. 16
ASI Multi-Viewer and Monitor Operations ................................................................................................... 17
What is Monitored ................................................................................................................................... 17
What is Logged in the Daily Log ............................................................................................................... 17
What is Logged in the Daily LKfs Log ....................................................................................................... 17
What is Logged in the Daily Closed Captioning Logs ............................................................................... 18
Where the daily log files are stored ......................................................................................................... 18
How to open the Database and use the Database Reader ...................................................................... 18
Graphing LKFS Data ................................................................................................................................. 20
Open the Graphing Tool ...................................................................................................................... 20
Load an LKFS Log File .......................................................................................................................... 20
Set Limits ............................................................................................................................................. 21
Select the values to graph ................................................................................................................... 21
Select the Hour to graph ..................................................................................................................... 21
Start the graph .................................................................................................................................... 21
Monitoring Data ...................................................................................................................................... 22
708 and 608 Closed Captioning Packets ............................................................................................. 22
Monitoring Audio (Bar and Graph Views)................................................................................................ 23
Alarm Conditions and Alarm Logging ................................................................................................. 24
Alarm States ........................................................................................................................................ 24
Clearing the Alarm History ....................................................................................................................... 25
Snapshot Feature ..................................................................................................................................... 25
Screen Recording Feature ........................................................................................................................ 25
Exiting the Application ............................................................................................................................. 26
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Introduction
Vela Research is pleased to introduce the ArgoNavis ASI Multi-Viewer and Monitoring
System. The ArgoNavis provides advanced ASI MPEG Data monitoring capabilities
allowing operators to view and key plant parameters.
Multi-Viewer Features
MPEG Video
Audio Levels
LKFS Audio Measurements
708 CC
608 CC
Black Frame/Freeze Frame Detection
Monitoring and Logging Features
Write Errors/Alarms to a database
Create a Daily Log of Events for each channel
Create a Daily Log of LKfs values measured every 500 msecs
Create a Daily Log of 708 Closed Captioning
Create a Daily Log of 608 Closed Captioning
Log User Configurable Alerts
Loss of 708 CC
Loss of 608 CC
Audio High/Low Level Alarm
Audio LKFS High Level Alarm
Black Frame
Freeze Frame
Graph LKFS values over time
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Physical Connections
4000-4187 ArgoNavis ASI Multi-Viewer
1 x BNC for DVB-ASI
270 Mbps Signaling rate
213 Mbps data rate
75 ohm termination
4000-5187 ArgoNavis ASI Multi-Viewer
4 x mini BNC for DVB-ASI (mini BNC to BNC adaptor cables provided)
270 Mbps Signaling rate
213 Mbps data rate
75 ohm termination (each connector)
System Specifications
Chassis
Model: 4000-x187-x (1.5 U Rackmount)
Dimensions: (WxHxD) 16.8 x 2.6 x 13 in. (427 x 66 x 330 mm)
* For proper ventilation leave 0.5 RU space above the unit. When properly installed
the unit will consume 2 RU total space.
Weight
Gross Weight: 19.6 lbs. (8.9 kg.)
System Input Requirements
AC Input Voltage: 100-240V AC auto-range
Rated Input Current: 5A max
Rated Input Frequency: 50 to 60 Hz
Power Supply
Rated Output Power: 250W
Rated Output Voltages: +3.3V (14A), +5V (17A), +12V1 (8A), +12V2 (14A), -12V (0.8A),
+5Vsb (2A).
Operating Environment
Operating Temperature: 10° to 35° C (50° to 95° F)
Non-operating Temperature: -40° to 70° C (-40° to 158° F)
Operating Relative Humidity: 8% to 90% (non-condensing)
Non-operating Relative Humidity: 5 to 95% (non-condensing)
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Drive Bays
1 x 2.5” Internal SSD drive bays
1 x 3.5” Internal SATA drive bays
Note: The following items are subject to change based on configuration, part
availability/obsolescence, and technological advances.
Motherboard
MSI Model: B75MA-E33
Processor (s)
1 Intel i7 Quad Core Processor
Memory
4 GB DDR3 1600 RAM
SSD
1 x 60 GB Solid State Drive (Operating System)
1 x 1 TB SATA HDD (Storage)
OS
Windows 7 Professional 32 Bit
Video Output
VGA
HDMI
DVI (Optional)
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Starting SDI VANC Multi-Viewer and Monitor
Managing the Platform
The ASI Multi-Viewer and Monitor runs on a Windows® 7 Professional 32 bit operating
system. As such, it can be administered, managed, and networked as any other
Windows® 7 Professional workstation. IT professionals can implement and restrict
access to the device and applications as per company protocol.
Some features of Windows that can be leveraged include using Remote Desktop
Protocol to configure and view the alarms remotely. WINS allows the unit to be
identified on a network so that log files transferred off to a permanent storage location
such as a NAS or SAN.
Warning:
Although the ASI Multi-Viewer and Monitor runs on a Windows® 7 Professional
Operating System it is intended to run only the SDI VANC Multi-Viewer and Monitor
application.
Do NOT load, install, or run any third party applications on this system. Do NOT run any
applications other than the ASI Multi-Viewer and Monitor application as
unexpected/unintended results may occur.
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Launching the Application
The easiest way to launch the SDI and VANC Multi-Viewer and Monitor application is
from the ArgoNavis Toolbar. The ArgoNavis can monitor and display up to four (4) video
programs simultaneously. If you have more than four (4) video programs then all of the
programs will be displayed in the toolbar. Use the scroll arrows to scroll through the
programs and click on each program you wish to monitor. A green LED will light on each
program to be monitored. To begin monitoring, click on the ‘Play’ arrow button on the
toolbar and the monitor will launch.
Once you select the PIDs to be monitored the ‘Auto-Assign PIDs’ checkbox will allow you
to automatically monitor these PIDs in the future without having to select them.
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DVB Channel Support and Block Diagram
Number of Programs supported
The ASI Multi-Viewer and Monitor currently supports:
Up to four (4) Video programs.
Up to two (2) audio programs associated with each Video Program.
Up to eight (12) channels of audio per Video Program.
4000-4187
For the 4000-5187 (Multi-Input DVB System) the above specifications and theory of
operation still applies. In this case each input will be scanned, starting with Input ‘A’
and ending with ‘D’. The video programs will automatically be detected and decoded on
a first detected, first decoded basis until a total of four (4) video programs are
monitored.
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Configuring the Multi-Viewer and Monitor Settings
Options can be set to determine what types of data to monitor and how long a data
type can be out of specification before triggering an alarm. The settings menu can be
launched from:
Options -> Settings
Or
Click the Settings
Icon
Settings: DVB ASI Monitor Name
This setting allows you to uniquely name each channel you are monitoring. This name is
applied to the Window Title for the channel and any logs associated with this channel.
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Settings: Monitor Alerts
Settings determine whether a particular data type is monitored or not. If a data type is
to be monitored then a ‘check’ should be beside that data type in the options menu.
Optional Data Types include:
Black Frame/Freeze Frame Detection
708 CC
608 CC
Black Frame/Freeze Frame Monitoring
To monitor for Black Frame/Freeze Frame Conditions set the following.
1. Check the ‘Black/Freeze Time (sec)’
2. Set the time (in seconds from 0.1 to 3600) that the condition must be present to
trigger an alarm.
708 Caption Packet Loss Monitoring
To monitor for loss of 708 Caption Packets set the following.
1. Check the ‘708 Alert Time (sec)’
2. Set the time (in seconds from 0.1 to 3600) that the condition must be present to
trigger an alarm.
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608 Caption Packet Loss Monitoring
To monitor for loss of 608 Caption Packets set the following.
1. Check the ‘608 Alert Time (sec)’
2. Set the time (in seconds from 0.1 to 3600) that the condition must be present to
trigger an alarm.
Settings: Channels to Monitor
Audio Monitor settings determine which Audio Channels to monitor, the upper and
lower threshold to alert/alarm at, and the duration the audio excursion must exceed the
upper or lower limit before and alarm occurs. To configure the audio channels to
monitor perform the following:
1. Select which audio channels to monitor by selecting the checkbox by the desired
channel(s).
2. Set the Alert Time (secs). This is the time the audio must be above or below the
thresholds before and alarm/alert occurs. Valid values are 0.1 secs to 3600 secs.
3. Set the Upper Limit (dBfs). This is the upper audio level limit.
4. Set the Lower Limit (dBfs). This is the lower audio level limit.
5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 for the second audio program.
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Settings: LKFS Monitor
There are four separate independent LKFS Measurements for each Audio Program.
Repeat this procedure for each Audio Program to be monitored.
LKFS Instant: The instantaneous LKFS measurement.
LKFS Average: The LKFS measurement averaged over 3 seconds per the
ITU/EBU specification.
LKFS User Average: The LKFS measurement averaged over a used defined period of
time (set to 30 seconds by default).
Include Silence: Includes periods where audio is < -60 dB in the User Average
calculation.
Exclude Silence: Excludes periods where audio is < -60 dB in the User Average
calculation.
Reset on Silence: Resets the User Average calculation whenever audio is < -60
dB.
LKFS True Peak: The highest true peak measurement taken during the measurement
period.
You can set an Upper limit on each of the LKFS measurements. A Lower limit is also
available on the LKFS User Average measurement. To configure the LKFS monitor
perform the following:
1. Check the checkboxes to monitor the desired LKFS measurements.
2. Set the Upper Limit (dBfs) for each measurement. This is the upper audio level
limit. Refer to ATSC A/85 for your correct upper limits.
3. Set the Lower Limit (dBfs) for the User Average measurement.
4. Set the ‘Average Range’. This is the duration over which the ‘LKFS User Average’
is measured. The default is 30 seconds.
LKFS Reset On Channel Change: The ArgoNavis dynamically switches between audio
types and formats while monitoring. When an audio format change occurs the LKFS
measurements will be reset when this property is checked.
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Alerts: Max Files to Store in Folder (Screen Shots)
You can Enable/Disable what LKFS values are plotted on the User Interface graph. You
can also set an upper and lower limit line on the graph.
Note: The limits set on the graph are NOT tied to the alarms. If you wish to have alarms
you will need to configure the alarm limits.
Alerts: Max Files to Store in Folder (Screen Shots)
The ASI Multi Viewer and Monitor will take a screenshot of a channel when an
Alarm/Alert condition occurs and store it on the D:\Vela
Research\Logs\DVBASIMonitorX\Screen Shots directory.
The Max Files to Store in Folder setting limits the number of screen shots to the value
entered.
If the value is exceeded the system deletes the oldest screen shot and writes a new
screen shot for the current alarm condition.
For ‘searchablility’ we recommend that this setting be kept below 100.
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Settings: Enable E-Mail Alerts
When enabled the SDI Multi Viewer and Monitor can send email alerts to individuals or
groups when an alarm condition occurs. The Email client can be launched and
configured from the Vela Toolbar and once configured will launch and run automatically
on successive bootups.
The following email parameters must be entered in the Client Configuration:
Select between an Exchange Server or an SMTP server:
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Exchange Server Settings
To Setup the Exchange server you will need the following information:
Send From (Senders email address)
Destination (Destination email address)
Mail Server (Exchange Server address)
Port
SSL
SMTP Server Settings
To Setup the SMTP server you will need the following information:
Login (SMTP server login)
Password (SMTP server password)
Destination (Destination email address)
SMTP (SMTP address like smtp.gmail.com)
Port (port like 587)
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Once the basic parameters have been entered the server will send a test email to the
address entered during the configuration. Verify that this email is received by all
recipients (remember to check your spam filter). If any parameter is incorrect you will
be asked to correct the entry and resubmit the test email.
Once online the Email Client will provide an indication of its current state.
Click the ‘dash’ to minimize the client to the taskbar.
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ASI Multi-Viewer and Monitor Operations
What is Monitored
The basic monitoring process includes the following elements:
1.
2.
3.
4.
HD or SD SDI video
Embedded Audio (with setpoints and alarms)
VANC Data
Loudness using an LKFS measurement
What is Logged in the Daily Log
The basic logging process includes the following elements:
1. Optional VANC data including:
a. Loss of 708 Captioning
b. Loss of 608 Captioning
c. Loss of Active Format Descriptor (AFD)
d. Loss of Broadcast Flag
e. Loss of Audio MetaData
2. Black/Freeze frame conditions
3. Audio upper and lower limit violations
4. Loudness upper and lower limit violations
What is Logged in the Daily LKfs Log
The LKfs logging process includes the following elements:
1. Date and time stamped Audio 1 and Audio 2 LKfs measurements.
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What is Logged in the Daily Closed Captioning Logs
Daily Closed Captioning logs are created for each type of Closed Captioning and include
the following information:
1. Date and time stamped decoded 708 Closed Captioning.
2. Date and time stamped decoded 608 Closed Captioning.
Where the daily log files are stored
Temporary storage is provided in the unit for the daily log files. These files are stored in:
D:\Vela Research\logs
Note that this location is a ‘temporary’ storage location. Daily logs should be moved to
a permanent storage location such as a SAN or NAS.
How to open the Database and use the Database Reader
All Errors and Alarms that occur and are written to the daily log file are also written to
the database for enhanced search and filtering capabilities.
To open the database viewer select ‘Database Reader’ from the ‘Tools’ menu on the
toolbar
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The Database Viewer will be displayed.
All Errors/Alarms from all channels will be displayed.
To refine your search simply enter a keyword or date to filter results. In the screen shot
below ‘Audio’ (without quotes) was entered into the search filter resulting on only
Audio alarms being displayed.
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Graphing LKFS Data
LKfs data is logged in a comma delimited format in a CSV file. This data can be graphed
in any spreadsheet program (Microsoft Excel, etc.) or using the Vela Graphing tool. We
recommend using the Vela graphing tool as it is customized for this application and is
much faster than spreadsheet programs.
Open the Graphing Tool
To open the graphing tool select ‘Audio Graphing Tool’ from the ‘Tools’ menu on the
toolbar.
Load an LKFS Log File
Load a LKFS log file by selecting ‘Open’ from the ‘File’ menu on the toolbar and browse
to the desired log file.
Note that LKFS files are stored in
D:\Vela Research\logs\DVBASI_MonitorX\LKFS_AudioX
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Set Limits
High: Upper LKFS Limit line displayed on the graph
Low: Lower Limit line displayed on the graph
Select the values to graph
Instant: The Instantaneous LKFS values
Average: The 3 Second Average Values
User Average: The User Average Values
Select the Hour to graph
To optimize the graphing process the Audio Graphing Tool plots data in 1 hour
increments. You must select the hour (based on a 24 hour clock) to graph. For partial
log files only those hours that have data will be enabled.
Start the graph
Select ‘Start Graph’ the graph the data.
Note that in the graph above only the hours from 00 to 12 had LKFS data.
Consequently, all other hours are disabled in the graph control.
Note that points falling outside of the limit lines are in ‘RED’ while those points inside
the limit lines are ‘GREEN’.
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Monitoring Data
708 and 608 Closed Captioning Packets
608 and 708 Closed Captioning Packets in the User Data of the MPEG Picture Header are
decoded in real time and displayed on the ‘CAPTIONS’ tab.
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Monitoring Audio (Bar and Graph Views)
Audio can be quickly viewed using audio level meters on the front panel display. Audio
can be viewed as level meters (bar Values) or a live real time graphical view of LKFS
values can be displayed.
If the video program has a single audio PID then both the bar Values and Graph views
are displayed simultaneously.
If the video program has two audio PIDS then bar Values are displayed by default. To
display the graph select ‘Graph’ from the ‘Views’ menu.
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Alarm Conditions and Alarm Logging
When an Alarm occurs, three things occur:
1. If the Alarm is an Audio Alarm the Alarm Bar surrounding the SDI Video window
is changed from Green to Red
2. The Audio Alarm LED is changed to RED
3. The time and nature of the alarm are logged locally in the Daily Log located at
D:\Vela Research\logs
Alarm States
No Alarms
Current Alarm
Alarm History (alarm occurred but cleared)
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Clearing the Alarm History
The Alarm History can be cleared one of two ways:
Select Options -> Clear Flags
Or
Select the Clear
Icon
Snapshot Feature
Each monitor channel has the ability to take a ‘snapshot’ of the current video input.
This can be used to document video issues or for logging purposes. To take a snapshot
of a particular channel:
Click the Snapshot
Icon
Snapshots are stored using the current time as the filename at
D:\Vela Research\Logs\SDIMontitorX\Screen Shots
Screen Recording Feature
The ASI Monitor optionally provides the ability to continuously capture/record the
desktop region up to 1920x1080i resolution. The encode parameters are:
Video Codec: H.264
Video Bitrate: User selectable 1 to 4 Mbps
Multiplexer Type: MPEG2-TS
The capture is designed to run 24x7 so the encode files can be segmented at a user
defined interval from 1 to 60 minutes (default is 15 minutes).
To launch the screen recorder application select the Record Icon
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on the ASI Toolbar.
To operate:
1. Set the duration of each file segment using the ‘Cut file on every x minutes of the
hour.’
2. Set the video encode bitrate.
3. Set the file name and path
4. Select Overwrite file if space is low.
5. Select ‘Record’ to start recording. Select ‘Stop’ to stop recording.
Exiting the Application
Under normal conditions, shutdown the application using the windows x button on the
Toolbar. This will shutdown all of the individual channels
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www.vela.com
5540 Rio Vista Drive
Clearwater, FL 33760-3107
727 507 5300
Copyright 2013 Vela Research LP. All rights reserved. Vela and
ArgoNavis are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vela
Research LP.
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