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ADENAcademy · In-Depth · Lesson 3 of 6

Controlling and scheduling AREC Media Stations

This lesson reviews a variety of control methods for AREC Media Stations, including USB hardware accessories, Mini Controller, RS-232, TCP, and HTTP API and calendar automation.

Controlling and scheduling AREC Media Stations

In this lesson, we examine various control options and tools that exist for AREC Media Stations.


Current AREC Media Stations (e.g., LS-210, LS-310, LS-410) can be controlled in a variety of ways. These include AREC, RADA, and third-party hardware and software solutions, as well as built-in options and settings. Some of these control methods were already covered in the previous lessons: the Online Director page, the station’s GUI, and some elements of the built-in automation. We will focus on those not yet mentioned here, starting with the USB options.



AREC A-NP01 and other USB numeric keypads


AREC Media Stations can be controlled by standard USB numeric keypads and keyboards. Specific models, like the LS-410, are shipped with A-NP01 USB Numeric Keypads – wireless accessories with stickers that indicate each function.


Here is what each button on A-NP01 does and its actual key in brackets:


  1. Numbers 1-9 (1-9): press to select the theme with this number, e.g., "1" for the first theme, "2" for the second, and so on. If a theme with this number does not exist, or this theme is already selected, nothing happens.

  2. Loop through (0): press to toggle loop through display modes. This button controls the HDMI loop through only.

  3. Snapshot (.): press to take a snapshot of the mixed video/create a bookmark in the recording.

  4. Record (Enter): press to start recording. If streaming is set to “Together with recording”, this will also start streaming.

  5. Mute audio (Backspace): press to mute/unmute all audio inputs.

  6. Increase volume (+): press to increase all audio inputs volume.

  7. Decrease volume (-): press to decrease all audio inputs volume.

  8. Stop (*): press to stop the recording.

  9. Pause (/): press to pause the recording.


It is possible to connect a regular USB keyboard too. In this case, additional control options may be available:

Which functions are available depends on the model of your Media Station. You can find more about available functions in the user manual of your Media Station.



RADA A-UP01 Clutch USB pedals



Another way to control AREC Media Stations via USB is to use RADA Clutch. These are USB-connected pedals that give users hands-free control of the Media Station. With the RADA Clutch, users can start and stop recording, change themes, and take snapshots.


RADA Clutch features rubber pads to avoid sliding and a solid metal, waterproof construction to withstand rough use. This makes them a great choice for controlling AREC Media Stations in hospitals, schools, studios, and other locations, where hands-free control is often required.



AREC UB-01 Recording Light


One more USB control option is the UB-01 Recording Light. This accessory lights up when a connected Media Station is recording, giving users a simple way of monitoring their station. As for control, UB-01 allows users to start and stop recording thanks to the touch-sensitive button.


UB-01 is available in a standalone casing and a mounted version (UB-01M), making it a great addition to any room with an AREC Media Station.



Physical buttons on Media Stations



All current AREC Media Stations feature physical buttons on the stations’ front panels that allow users to control some of the key functions of these devices.

Here is what each button does:


  1. Overlay: press to cycle through overlays.

  2. Loop through: press to cycle through HDMI loop through modes.

  3. Record: press to start recording. If the recording is paused, press to resume recording. If streaming is set to “Together with recording”, this will also start streaming.

  4. Pause: press to pause/unpause the recording.

  5. Stop: press to stop the recording.

  6. Power: press once to turn on the station. Press twice to turn off the station.



Mini Controller – adapted control interface for mobile devices and tablets


All AREC Media Stations also feature a Mini Controller – a specially designed web interface for mobile devices and tablets that does not require software installation. It can be accessed via any standard browser.


To use the Mini Controller, simply type the IP address of the Media Station in a browser on your mobile device. If your browser is not set to load desktop versions of websites, you will land on the Mini Controller login page. Only Administrator and Online Director account credentials can be used to log in.


Mini Controller first page

The first page of the Mini Controller allows users to monitor the station’s current status, important settings, and control the recording and streaming process. Here is what each function does:


  1. Page selection: tap on a number to switch to the first or second page of the Mini Controller.

  2. Log out: tap to log out of the Mini Controller.

  3. Status indicator: important status information will be displayed here similar to how it is displayed in the Online Director, e.g. loop recording and remaining recording time.

  4. Time: displays the time length of the current recording session.

  5. Live: tap to start and stop streaming independently from recording. This button is only available if at least one of the streams is in “Enable streaming button” mode.

  6. Record: tap to start recording. If the recording is paused, click to resume recording. Clicking this will also start streaming if at least one of the streams is in “Together with recording” mode.

  7. Pause: tap to pause/unpause the recording.

  8. Stop: tap to stop the recording.

  9. Title: type a short description for a snapshot/bookmark in a recording, then press “Snapshot” (10) to take it.

  10. Snapshot: tap to take a snapshopt/create a bookmark in a recording.

  11. GUI: tap to show/hide the GUI. This function works only if the GUI is not completely disabled under “OSD menu” on the “Administrator” → “Media I/O” → “Display” page.


Mini Controller second page

The second page allows the user to adjust the video’s presentation and volume. Here is what each function does:


  1. Backgrounds: tap to see the list of available backgrounds in the selection area (7).

  2. Layouts: tap to see the list of available layouts by type (6) in the selection area (7).

  3. Overlays: tap to see the list of available overlays in the selection area (7).

  4. Themes: tap to see the list of available themes in the selection area (7).

  5. Input volume: tap to control the station’s input volume in the selection area (7).

  6. Layout type: tap to change the type of layout that is displayed below (7). The number of options here depends on how many channels a model supports.

  7. Selection area: shows the available options for a selected function. Tap on any to apply.


It is possible to access the Mini Controller on a computer as well. To do so, type the URL as follows:


IP_Address_of_the_station/controller


Likewise, it is possible to access the desktop version of the Media Station’s web interface. If you want to do that, request a desktop version of the web page using your mobile device/tablet’s browser.



Control commands via RS-232/TCP/HTTP API



AREC Media Stations can be controlled by hardware and software external controllers. All current Media Stations feature dedicated RS-232 ports and accept TCP/HTTP commands through their LAN and WAN network ports.


RS-232/TCP/HTTP API commands are unique in that they allow controlling or toggling some features that are otherwise inaccessible. For example, using such commands, it is possible to switch the currently selected IP source in any of the Media Station's channels even while recording or streaming.


To find the list of RS-232/TCP commands, visit our website www.a-dena.com → Resources → Firmware & Resources. Click “Download” and tick the box for your station’s model under “Other Useful Resources”. RS-232 and TCP connection instructions can be found inside the command list document. If you are not sure how to use the commands, refer to the Packet Sender example we provided in Basics Lesson 10 "Exporting videos".


To get the HTTP API documentation, please contact us directly through our website www.a-dena.com → "Contact Us".



Calendar and VCMS scheduling



The last control method that we will go through in this lesson is scheduling automation. All AREC Media Stations support iCal (.ics) calendar automation for starting and stopping recording and streaming based on events in the calendar. This is the most common calendar format that is supported by Microsoft Outlook, Google Calendar, and other popular calendars.


All current Media Stations also support the same automation for integrated VCMS platforms: Kaltura, Opencast, and Panopto. Configuration steps for these platforms are described in user manuals of all the latest Media Stations, accessible through our website www.a-dena.com → “Resources” → “Technical Information”.


Scheduling can be enabled through the “Administrator” → “Scheduler” page. To enable, simply toggle the Scheduler “on” on this page. Next, select the scheduling method under “Schedule source”. The options available to you depend on the model of your Media Station. These include:


  • Periodic Calendar import: this allows the station to check for events in the connected calendar and add them automatically.

  • Manual Calendar import: this allows the user to manually upload an exported calendar to the Media Station.

  • Scheduling via Opencast server: this allows the station to be controlled via an Opencast server.

  • Scheduling via Kaltura server: this allows the station to be controlled via a Kaltura server.

  • Scheduling via Panopto server: this allows the station to be controlled via a Panopto server.


To give an example, we will set up a periodic calendar import with Google Calendar.


Scheduling with Google Calendar automatically


First, create or choose a calendar to pair with the Media Station. Click “Settings” → “Add calendar” → “Create new calendar”. Make this calendar public by ticking the box under “Access permissions for events”.


Find the iCal format link

Next, select this calendar in the list under “Settings for my calendars” and scroll down to “Integrate calendar”. Copy the link under “Public address in iCal format”.


Paste the link into the calendar address bar that appears when “Periodic Calendar import” is selected under “Schedule source” and press Apply.


From now on, new events that appear in the calendar will be added to the Media Station’s recording and streaming calendar automatically. You can check which events are in the calendar by clicking the orange calendar icon on the right side of the Scheduler page.


Check events in the "Scheduler"


To manually refresh the list, click “Refresh”. The station will display the next planned events. If an event is removed from the calendar, it will also be removed from the Media Station the next time that the Media Station automatically checks for calendar changes or when the list is manually refreshed.


Scheduling with Google Calendar manually

The procedure for manual scheduling is very similar to automatic scheduling, except it does not involve copying an .ics link. Simply open your calendar’s settings and select the calendar that needs to be imported in the Media Station. At the top of the page under “Calendar settings”, find “Export calendar” and click it. This will download a .zip archive with the .ics calendar. Unzip the archive, choose “Manual Calendar import” under “Schedule source” on the “Administrator” → “Scheduling” page of the station, click “Import” under “Load a configuration” on that same page, select the unzipped .ics file, and apply.


Another option on the "Scheduler" page, "Auto text overlay", displays the scheduled event's title when it begins as an overlay.


That concludes the lesson. You can now test your knowledge and understanding by answering the questions on the lesson's form and watching the linked videos before moving on to the next lesson.


After you submit your answers on the form, make sure to click "View Scores" to see whether you answered correctly. You will also receive an email at the address you used when starting this lesson, containing your answers and a "View Scores" link.



Training Videos


Training Video – Controlling the Media Stations with a mobile device


Training Video – Panopto Integration Tutorial


Training Video – How to use and configure Scheduler



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