About connecting video and audio sources
Applies to: Pearl-2, Pearl Mini, Pearl Nexus, Pearl Nano
You can connect and disconnect video and audio sources while the device is powered on and when it is powered off. However, for network video sources connecting via the Ethernet port, the source device sending the stream and the device must both be powered on to make the connection.
Connect your video and audio sources to the following input ports on your device:
Cable and port connections
| Source type | Input port |
|---|---|
| SDI | SDI port |
| HDMI (not HDCP-protected) or DVI (adapter) | HDMI port |
| USB audio (UAC), USB video (webcam)* | USB 3.0 port (rear) |
| Ethernet | RJ-45 port. SRT, NDI/NDI |
| Audio | XLR or RCA* |
* See Device differences below — audio port set, USB video, and NDI support vary by device.
You can also connect RTSP sources such as IP cameras and even another device of the same model over the network using the Admin panel.
Application of amplified speaker signals to the audio line inputs exceeds the recommended ratings and may permanently damage the device.
The Admin panel automatically discovers all video and audio sources that you connect to the input ports on the device and lists them in the Inputs menu of the Admin panel. Sources coming from the Ethernet network such as SRT, NDI, and RTSP need to be added manually to appear in the Inputs menu. When a network source is added as an input, a corresponding audio source is automatically added to the list of audio sources for your channels, even if there is no audio.
When a video source is connected, the system automatically detects and adjusts the image capture settings every 60 seconds. The interval is configurable. Generally no further configuration is needed; however you can fine tune some settings using the Admin panel.
If no video source is connected to an input port or no stream is being transmitted from a source over the Ethernet connection, "No Signal" displays wherever that input is used. You can change that to display the default "No Signal" image or create your own custom no signal image.
Changing the video or audio source while streaming or recording can cause the recording to stop or the stream frame size to change, depending on how your channel is configured. If the frame size changes, viewers may get disconnected and need to re-connect to the live stream.
Audio mixers and other line-level audio devices can be connected to the audio input ports (see Device differences for the exact port types per device).
Embedded audio from sources connected to the HDMI, SDI, and USB ports is also supported.
Tested RTSP-based IP cameras
Devices in this family are compatible with all Ethernet-based IP cameras and other RTSP sources. The cameras listed in the following table represent a sample of common third-party cameras that have been tested to work with them. Information such as URL syntax, default credentials and audio streaming capability specific to each camera is included.
The URL syntax refers to the additional piece of text that needs to be included in the source URL to connect your IP camera to the device.
For example, to connect a Sony SRG300SE camera with an IP address of "192.168.0.160", your source URL needs to be entered as:
"rtsp://192.168.0.160**/video1**"
Or, if using a Q-See QCN8029Z camera, your source URL needs to be entered as:
"rtsp://192.168.0.160**/**"
List of tested IP cameras
| Brand | Model | URL syntax | Audio? | Default username and password |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q-See | QCN8029Z | / | No | admin / admin |
| Sony | SRG300SE | /video1 | Yes | admin / admin |
| Panasonic | AW-HE40HPK⁑ | /MediaInput/h264/stream_1 (To add a second URL, use: "/MediaInput/h264/stream_2") | Yes | admin / 12345 |
| Axis | P1428-E | /axis-media/media.amp | No | root / root |
| Axis | M1034-W | /axis-media/media.amp | Yes | root / admin |
⁑During testing, the Panasonic AW-HE40 did not consistently synchronize its time with these devices.
Supported web cameras
These devices support most webcams and USB audio sources, such as USB microphones. The following list of web cameras have been tested for compatibility. If your web camera doesn't appear in the list, that just means your model hasn't been tested. It's likely that it will work without any issues.
The following web cameras have been tested by Epiphan:
- Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920 (Max video mode: 1920x1080@30)
- Logitech C925e (Max video mode: 1920x1080@30)
- Microsoft LifeCam Studio (Max video mode: 1280x720@30)
- Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000 (Max video mode: 1280x720@30)
- IPEVO Ziggi-HD Plus
For the Ziggi-HD Plus web camera, enable the power line frequency setting in the web camera before connecting the camera to the device.
When you configure a source, the Default video mode is not necessarily achievable for that web camera. For instance, a camera might have a default mode of 1080p but have a Maximum video mode of 720p. If no settings are changed, the camera simply outputs video at 720p in this case.
Device differences
- Pearl-2, Pearl Nano: Audio input ports are XLR or RCA only. Audio mixers/line-level devices connect to the XLR and RCA audio input ports.
- Pearl Mini, Pearl Nexus: Audio input ports are XLR, ¼" TRS, 3.5 mm, or RCA. Audio mixers/line-level devices connect to the RCA and ¼" TRS audio input ports. Professional microphones and other mic-level audio devices can also be connected to the XLR and 3.5 mm (stereo) audio input ports.
- Pearl Nano: the USB 3.0 port supports USB audio (UAC) only — it does not support UVC webcams, USB Ethernet dongles, or USB webcam output. The "Supported web cameras" subsection above does not apply to Pearl Nano. The Ethernet row does not include NDI/NDI|HX — Pearl Nano does not support NDI or NDI|HX inputs or streaming.
- Pearl Nano: "Embedded audio from sources connected to the HDMI, SDI, and USB ports" is limited to USB audio only on Pearl Nano.