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Video Review: ViewCast Niagara 2120 Streaming Appliance
"Flash Encoding workhorse for high quality encoding onsite or in some remote location"
If you are new to streaming live video over the Internet, it requires a process to convert the audio and video signal from a camera or video switcher to data packets that stream over a computer network. This process is called encoding, and the devices that do this process are called encoders. Encoders can be software that is loaded onto a computer or a self-contained hardware-based device, and the later is the focus of this review. ViewCast has a variety of encoding products and is well respected in the industry. The company’s Niagara 2120 is a self-contained device that converts audio and video into a Flash stream in real time to be viewed over the Internet.
Out of the Box
After opening the box an excellent quick start guide was in plain view along with a package that included a CD-ROM and adapters to connect the system to the most common audio and video gear. The quick start guide is a large, two-sided, full-color poster-like document that takes you step by step in a clear manner from making the connections through configuration and on to streaming video to your Content Delivery Network (CDN).
Once the unit was out of the box I connected the power supply, the network cable, and composite video and audio. The unit quickly powered, and all looked good, but there is a small fan that is audible. It will be noticeable in a very quiet room, so it is something to consider.
The next step on the quick start guide is to connect a computer or laptop up to the same network, open a browser and type http:// and the serial number to configure the encoder. This did not work on the first try and there was no troubleshooting guide in the box that I received. I was testing with a Mac using Safari and Firefox, and I couldn’t connect per the quick guide instructions. After a quick chat with ViewCast, though, I decided to abandon the connect through the laptop and used the 2120 USB port with a VGA connection that provides direct communication with the Niagara 2120. I connected a USB keyboard and mouse to the box, as well as a VGA monitor to the box, and I was off and running.
Test Method
This box is a standard definition (SD) video encoder; therefore, I decided to test with composite video. The unit does support S-Video and component. All video inputs use professional BNC connectors. Adapters for S-Video and RCA came with the unit to get you going quickly—no matter which type of input you wanted to use. There are two professional XLR and two RCA audio inputs. I chose a DV camcorder as the source, so I used the RCA audio inputs.
The next step that is required, but not mentioned in the quick start guide because it is assumed you know, is to build a web page with Flash media objects. The Flash media object will provide the connection from the CDN server to the web page. You will want to determine the size and data rate for your content as part of creating your web page. I chose the typical 320x240 and used a data rate of 800.
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Brent Harshbarger is the Founder of m3tools, a firm dedicated to helping multimedia ministries with the tools to connect them to the world, www.m3tools.com. You can contact the author via email at brent@m3tools.com.
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