What is RTP Streaming?

RTP streaming, available with the release of Cablecast 6.3, allows Flex video servers to use RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol) streams as video sources enabling both the output of the RTP stream to air without an additional RTP decoder and the capture of the RTP stream to a file for later playback.

RTP is a licensed feature that must be enabled either at the time of initial purchase, or in the field by a Cablecast technician. To check if your system is licensed, open SXConfiguration in the system tray on your Flex server. The System tab will indicate if your server is licensed for RTP streaming. Please note that licensing is per server. If you own multiple flex servers each server you wish to play or capture RTP streams with must be licensed.

Stream Requirements and Certified Encoders

In order to play RTP streams out a flex server the stream must meet the requirements listed below.

The list below contains RTP encoders that Tightrope Media Systems have tested and certified for use with Cablecast.

Configuring RTP Streaming

There are two workflows that need to be configured for RTP streaming.

To configure playback of RTP streams we will do the following steps:

1. Create a Network Stream format.
2. Assign the Network Stream format as the secondary format on any licensed Flex server devices.

To configure capturing of RTP streams we will do the following steps:

1. Create a SXNetworkEncoderCM for each licensed Flex Server
2. Create Network Record Devices

Configuring RTP Playback

• Navigate to Settings -> Location Settings -> Shows (tab) -> Formats
• Create a new format called Network Stream with a primitive type of Network Stream

• Next navigate to  Settings -> Location Settings -> I/O (tab) -> Devices
• Edit each licensed Flex Server device and add the Network Stream format created above as the second format.

The flex server is now configured for Network Streaming. Read on to learn how to play Network Streams to air.

Configuring RTP Capture

• Navigate to Settings -> Location Settings -> I/O (tab) -> Control Module Sets
• Create a new control module set for each flex server using the SXNetworkEncoderCM
• The Control Module IP should be the same as the SXEncoderCM for the flex server
• Set the Port Setting to the directory on the machine where the Network Captures should be stored

• Next navigate to Settings -> Location Settings -> I/O (tab) -> Devices
  
• Create a new device with the following settings.
• Name - Unique name for encoder
• Device Function - Record Only
• Device Type - Video Server
• Device CMS - SXNetworkEncoderCM create above
• Device Address - 0 through 4.
• Device End Actions - Stop Record

Your system is now set up to capture RTP streams.

Creating and Editing RTP Streams

 RTP streams can be created and edited on the Network Streams Settings page. There is no limit to the number of RTP streams that can be defined. It is useful to create the RTP streams ahead of time so they can be recalled quickly when scheduling shows and record events.

• Navigate to Settings -> Location Settings -> I/O (tab) -> Network Streams
• Create or Edit an existing stream
• The following fields can be modified
• Name - User defined name to easily identify the stream
• Address - Network address for the stream. This can be a multicast address
• Port - Port the stream is available on

Scheduling a RTP Stream 

To schedule an RTP stream we will create a new show which has the Network Stream format we created earlier. With the Network Stream format created we will be able to select from a list of pre-defined network streams, or create a new one. The rest of the show details and scheduling are just like any other type of show in Cablecast. Create the show, add it to the schedule, send Autopilot and you're good to go.

• Navigate to Shows -> New Show
• Fill in the appropriate show meta data.
• Set the first reel's format to the Network Stream format created earlier.
• Select a Network Stream for this show.
• If you have no Network Streams, click New to create a new network stream.

• Save the show record
• Schedule the new show on a channel
• Send Autopilot

Capturing A RTP Stream

Capturing a network stream is the same as any recording in Cablecast. You have three options.

Capture Stream Using Record Schedule

• Navigate to the Record Schedule
• Create a new Record Event
• Fill in the Time and Length Details
• For Device, choose -- Network Stream --
• Choose the stream you wish to record
• Fill in a File Name
• Save

Record Run of RTP Stream Show

• Schedule a Network Stream as described above
• Click the record run button on the run
• Choose a Network Encoder
  • The source network stream is defined by the show created earlier.

Capturing Using The Force Matrix

• Navigate to Autopilot -> Force Matrix
• Choose Action for the network encoder device
• Choose Record
• Select the desired stream
• Type a name for the file
• Click Take
• Send the device a Stop command when finished