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ADENAcademy · Basics · Lesson 3 of 10

Adding video sources to AREC Media Stations

In this lesson we show how to add video sources on AREC Media Stations.

Adding video sources to an AREC Media Station

In order to add video sources, you need to access the Administrator web page of your station. Enter your credentials and log in. By default, you will land on the “Video inputs” page of the “Media I/O” category.


"Video inputs" page


On AREC Media Stations, video sources are added in video channels. One video channel can only use one video source at a time. For example, LS-210 is a 2-channel model, meaning that it can work with 2 video sources at the same time, whereas LS-410, a 4-channel model, supports 4 video sources respectively. It is possible to connect more video sources to a station than that station can use at the same time (e.g. connect 3 USB sources and 9 network sources on LS-210, which can only use 2 at the same time).


Depending on the model you have, you will see a different number of video channels. For the majority of AREC stations, the first channel in the list will have a computer icon, the following channels will be numbered “1”, “2”, and so on. You will notice the same icons and numbers when creating or choosing layouts and themes in other pages of Administrator and in Online Director, telling you where and which of your channels will be positioned.


With that covered, let’s add a video source.



Adding or selecting a video source in a channel


By default, you will find the following information and parameters available for your video source:


  • Name – how the video source is called.

  • Signal type – how the video source is connected. Signal types available to you depend on the model of your station. The type can be a Video Port (HDMI/VGA/USB), Network Camera (AREC cameras/ONVIF/NDI), IP Source (RTSP/RTMP/RTP/SRT), or Wireless Projection (ARECast, only on LS-860/LS860N).

  • Video source (if you have “Video port” as your signal type) – choose which port to take the signal from.

  • PTZ control – select a PTZ control interface/protocol for your source. This can be left blank. Options here include Serial Port (RS-232), ONVIF, VISCA over IP, NDI (for stations that support it, e.g. LS-210/LS-310/LS-410) and Auto-Tracking Mount (legacy support for AREC TP-100, not present on the latest AREC Media Stations, e.g. LS-210/LS-310/LS-410).


On the latest AREC Stations (LS-210/LS-310/LS-410/DS-9CU), any type of supported video source can be selected in any channel. On earlier models (e.g. LS-200, LS-860), “Video port” signal types can only be selected in particular channels: HDMI 1 / VGA 1 in the content channel, HDMI 2 / VGA 2 in “1”, HDMI 3 in “2” and HDMI 4 in “3”.


To add a source in a channel, start by selecting the right "Signal type". For example, to add a source via HDMI, VGA, or USB, you need to change the signal type to “Video port” and choose the right HDMI/VGA/USB source that you want in "Video source". Press “Apply” and it is done. We describe how to add other types of video sources later in this lesson.


Note that if you are using an LS-860/LS-860N Media Station and want to connect an ARECast wireless projection button, you will need an application called ARECast Desktop Pair (Dongle Configurator). You can request this application through our website www.a-dena.com or by emailing info@a-dena.com. Configuration steps are provided in the quick installation guide that will be sent with the application.


Lastly, note that video sources can only be changed when the Media Station is not recording or streaming. The only exceptions to this are IP sources (RTP/RTMP/RTMPS/RTSP/SRT), which can be changed using RS-232/TCP/HTTP API commands. We cover this topic in In-Depth Lesson 3: "Controlling and scheduling AREC Media Stations".



Connecting computers – selecting which computer content is captured


Note that when computers are connected to Media Stations via video cables like HDMI, computers recognise Media Stations as external displays. Therefore, when connecting a computer to the Media Station, and there is one or more displays connected to this computer (built-in or external), you must choose which display mode is needed. For example, select "Duplicate these displays" to have the same content on both the Media Station and your computer's display. Or select "Extend these displays" mode to capture only the content that was dragged to the extended display (i.e., the Media Station).


In Windows, display modes can be changed in "System" → "Display".



"Network device manager" page


If you would like to add a network camera or source that supports ONVIF Profile S or NDI|HX, you will first need to find it using the “Network Device Manager” page. Make sure that your network camera is in the same IP subnet as your Media Station and press “Refresh” next to “Network Cameras”.


After the station finishes scanning, your camera will appear in the list. For NDI|HX connections, you can simply press “Add” to add the camera and immediately start using it. For ONVIF Profile S connections, you will need to enter login credentials first by pressing “Login” instead.


After you find and add the camera, return to the “Video Inputs” page. Change “Signal Type” to “Network Camera” in the channel where you want to use this camera and select it from the list.


As we explained in Basics Lesson 1: "Changing network on AREC Media Stations and network ports overview", on AREC Media Stations with LAN ports in default configuration, IP addresses for the LAN ports are automatically assigned by the station itself (as the station functions as a DHCP server through its LAN port). Therefore, all devices connected to the LAN ports must be switched to DHCP mode to work properly or be set to a static IP address in the station’s LAN network. By default, AREC stations assign addresses in 192.168.11.*** subnet on the LAN ports. If your network is also using 192.168.11.*** subnet, you should change the station’s LAN subnet to avoid possible IP conflict. This can be done in “Administrator” → “System” → “Network” under “LAN IP setting” or "Network adapter 2 Settings" on the latest AREC Media Stations (e.g. LS-210/LS-310/LS-410) running firmware 1.1.0.13 and newer.



Connecting other IP sources


To add an IP source via RTSP, RTMP, RTP, or SRT, change the signal type on a channel to “IP Source” (or “Encoder” in earlier models), and select the right protocol for your device. Fill out the primary and secondary URLs and select a PTZ control mode if needed. The sources you add here can also come outside of your network – simply use the Public IP address and the port number of the device you want to connect.


Keep in mind that the link structure for RTSP, RTMP, RTP, and SRT connections can differ from one device to another. For example, RTSP link structure for AREC cameras is “rtsp://IP address/h264”, while AREC stations use "rtsp://IP address/movie", but other brands and models may also have usernames, passwords, and/or ports in their link. Make sure to get the correct link from your device’s manufacturer. Typically, you can find this information in the device’s user manual.





Previewing a video channel – how to access


Now that the video source is connected, you can preview it by clicking on the orange button on the right side of the page.



Previewing a video channel – options


Depending on the signal type and PTZ control mode, the preview menu allows you to see the source’s image, control PTZ, configure PTZ presets, see resolution, bitrate and framerate information, as well as control brightness, sharpness, and contrast.


The latest AREC Media Stations (including LS-210, LS-310, LS-410) use WebRTC to provide individual source preview. TI-series models (e.g. LS-200, KL-3T, DS-4CU) rely on different plugins, which show mixed video instead. Lastly, LS-860/LS-860N relies on MJPEG, which displays individual source preview akin to WebRTC. All of these plugins work in modern browsers (Chrome and Edge are recommended)


If you require individual source preview on a model that does not support WebRTC, or your network prevents WebRTC from working correctly, you may use FBVLC, an alternative preview plugin. We described in detail the steps to activate it in one of the ADENA Hacks: ADENA Hack: How to enable and use the FBVLC preview plugin in AREC Stations.


That concludes the lesson. You can now answer the questions about this lesson’s material to test your knowledge and watch the linked video before moving on to the next lesson.


After you submit your answers, make sure to click “View Scores” to see if you answered correctly. You will also receive an email on the address you used when starting this lesson with your answers and “View Scores” link.



Training Videos


Training Video – How to Select Video Inputs in AREC Media Stations


Video de entrenamiento – Cómo agregar fuentes de video en Media Station AREC


Video de entrenamiento – Configuraciones básicas del sistema y red en Media Station AREC


Видео на русском – как добавлять видеоисточники на медиастанциях AREC (HDMI и USB)


Видео на русском – как добавлять видеоисточники на медиастанциях AREC (ONVIF профиль S и NDI|HX)


Видео на русском – как добавлять видеоисточники на медиастанциях AREC (RTSP и другие протоколы)


(Português) Vídeo de treinamento – Configuração básica da Media Station


ADENA Hacks

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