Video output of the Media Stations and loop through

Video outputs of the latest AREC Media Stations (LS-210/LS-310/LS-410)

All AREC Media Stations’ outputs are able to work simultaneously and are enabled by default. Generally, there are four types of video outputs on AREC Media Stations:

1. Mixed video/GUI: this is a PGM output of a Media Station. It displays the recording and streaming layout of a Media Station, as well as the currently selected overlay and background. It can be controlled using all available control methods of AREC Media Stations, such as the Online Director web page, RS-232/TCP commands and accessories. “Mixed video/GUI” output is processed by the Media Station according to the video profile selected in “Administrator” → “Video” → “Recording” (described in detail in Basics Lesson 6 “Configuring recording settings on AREC Media Stations”). This output also features the graphical user interface (GUI), a control bar that can be turned on and off through this output, RS-232/TCP commands, and the station’s web page. While the GUI appears on top of the mixed video, it is not recorded. To use the GUI, you must connect a USB HID input device (e.g. computer mouse, touch display) to the station. Click or tap anywhere to hide or show the GUI. The GUI is explained in detail in Basics Lesson 9 "Graphical User Interface of AREC Media Stations and how to use it". On all latest AREC Media Stations, such as the LS-210, LS-310, and LS-410, it is possible to permanently disable the GUI through the "Administrator" → "Media I/O" → "Display" page of the station under "Display setings". This output can also display system messages, icons, and notifications. They can be disabled under “Notification Settings” on the “Administrator” → “Media I/O” → “Display” page of the station.
   

2. Mixed video/Loop through: this is a configurable output of a Media Station. It can display the recording and streaming layout of a Media Station, each video channel individually, or all video channels of a station together. It can be controlled using the RS-232/TCP commands, the GUI, and physical buttons on the station. This output does not affect what the station is recording and streaming and does not display the GUI. It is possible to configure which display modes are available for this output in “Display switch settings” on the “Administrator” → “Media I/O” → “Display” page of the station.

   
   

3. Specific HDMI input loop through: this output is available on the latest AREC Media Stations (e.g. LS-210, LS-310, LS-410) and on some of the previous models (e.g. LS-110). It displays a particular HDMI source. For example, on LS-210, LS-310, and on LS-410, this output displays the source connected to the HDMI 2 input. The source is displayed as is, without any video processing.
   

4. Streaming output: this output shows the mixed video of a Media Station without the GUI. AREC Media Stations produce streams using different protocols. Available protocols depend on the model of your Media Station.

   The number, location, and type of interface of these outputs depends on the model of the Media Station. On the latest models (LS-210, LS-310, and LS-410) the outputs are the same and they are located as on the image above.

LS-300 video outputs

On the TI-series Media Stations (e.g. LS-200, LS-300, KL-3T), users can change which type of video output is displayed through which video interface by enabling “Dual Displays” under “Video output settings” on the “Administrator” → “Media I/O” → “Display” page.

Using LS-410 outputs in a lecture hall – example

Availability of multiple different outputs opens up a lot of ways to use AREC Media Stations. Using LS-410 and a typical lecture hall as an example, multiple video sources would be connected to the LS-410 for recording and streaming, including computers, cameras, document cameras, and other devices.

Using the “Mixed video/Loop through” outputs, the LS-410 can be connected to projectors, displays, and other AV hardware in the room to loop through the mixed video, any of its channels individually, or all of them together for local viewers. For instance, this can be used to duplicate computer content, recording it and showing it to local viewers simultaneously, as is demonstrated on the example drawing above.

By adding an accessory such as our RADA A-BR02 HDMI-to-USB Bridge, one of these outputs can be converted into a USB web camera for videoconferencing and hybrid education.

Similarly, computer content can be displayed using the HDMI 2 input loop through.

The “Mixed video/GUI” output can be connected to a confidence monitor for the presenter and/or operator. This way, the presenter/operator can easily see what content is currently recorded and streamed, and using the GUI, it can be quickly changed.

Streaming outputs can be used to stream the mixed video to any platform via RTP/RTMP/RTMPS/SRT. Local streaming outputs (e.g. RTSP, NDI|HX, SRT Listener mode) can be used to monitor the recording and streaming process, or to use the mixed video as a web camera or input for conferencing and other kinds of software.

Thus, multiple video outputs on AREC Media Stations help make more flexible installations that do not require as many splitters or other kinds of equipment.

Other important details about the video outputs

There are a few more important points to make about AREC Media Stations’ video outputs. On all AREC Media Stations, you can change the GUI language through the “Administrator” → “Media I/O” → “Display”. Note that this specifically affects the GUI bar on the “Mixed video/GUI” output. To change the Media Station’s web page language, click the globe icon before logging in any of the web pages (see Basics Lesson 2 “Introduction to the web interface of AREC Media Stations” for details).

On the TI-series Media Stations, it is possible to adjust brightness, contrast, saturation, and hue of HDMI and VGA video outputs. This is controlled by “Screen color adjustment” on the “Administrator” → “Media I/O” → “Display” page.

Lastly, if you have connected a video output of a Media Station and it shows black screen, double-check which output it is and what its current mode is:

If it is a “Mixed video/Loop through” output, this could be because the station is showing an individual channel which either does not have a source, or its source cannot be displayed because of unsupported resolution, changed IP address, or another reason.

To verify that quickly, cycle loop modes several times and apply an overlay. By default, one of the loop through modes is to show the station’s mixed video output. If you can see an overlay while cycling loop through modes, it means that the station’s output is working. In this case, double-check how the source is connected.

If it is a “Mixed video/GUI” output, this could be because the station is currently set to a layout that does not feature any of the channels with connected sources.

To verify that quickly, apply an overlay and change the layout to one that features all channels. If you see the overlay, it means that the station’s output is working. If you still don’t see your source in a layout with all channels, double-check how it is connected.

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 – Video Output of the Media Stations and Loop Through

Video de entrenamiento – Salidas de video y loop-through en Media Station AREC

Видео на русском – как работают видеовыходы на медиастанциях AREC

ADENA Hacks

Please read this ADENA Hack on our website:

• How to change where the GUI and the mixed video are displayed. https://www.a-dena.com/post/how-to-stream-to-youtube-with-arec