Chroma Full-Duplex 2110 Encoder/Decoder Quick Start Guide
ACT-L5 Codec
Chroma Full-Duplex HD, 4K, and 2110 Encoder/Decoder
Quick Start Guide
Note: This document reflects the current feature-set which may change without notice. We will attempt to keep all users up-to date on any such changes. All content is © 2024. All rights reserved.
Document History:
Nov 2024 Document version 1.0 LN
©2024 Streambox, Inc. All rights reserved. The Streambox logo, ACT-L5 codec, and LDMP are trademarks of Streambox, Inc. All other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Information supplied by Streambox, Inc. is believed to be accurate and reliable. Streambox, Inc. assumes no responsibility for any errors in this brochure. Streambox, Inc. reserves the right, without notice, to make changes in product design or specifications.
Anatomy of the Chroma Half-Rack Hardware
Rear Panel (2110+SDI Model - Decklink IP/SDI HD)
Rear Panel (2110 Optical Model - Decklink HD Optical)
Rear Panel (4K Model - Decklink 8K Pro)
Blackmagic Decklink HD Optical
A. Logging onto a Streambox Rackmount
Introduction
The Streambox® Chroma™Full Duplex 2110 Encoder Decoder provides the ideal vehicle for secure, low latency, video transport that is required for studio and post-production workflows. The Encoder and Decoder software run on a Linux operating system and supports AES 128-bit encryption, LDMP multipath bonded transport, and ACT-L5 compression, all together providing a secure, low latency, color accurate, high quality video transport.
Getting Started
Quick Start:
See Appendix A for logging onto your Streambox Encoder Decoder
What’s Included:
1 x Half Rack-sized Encoder/Decoder Unit with HD-SDI and LCD control panel
Linux operating system
HD Encoder and Decoder software
AES 128-bit encryption (expandable to 256-bit)
Web user interface for secure local and remote access
What’s Supported:
4K (8K Pro Model only): UHD 3840x2160 and DCI 4096x2160 23.98,24,25,30fps
2K (8K Pro Model only): DCI 2048x1080 23.98,24,25,30fps
HD: 720p 50,59.94,60fps; 1080i 50,59.94,60fps; 1080psf 23.98,24fps; 1080p 23.98,24,25,30fps
8 channels of audio, expandable to 16
Streaming Bitrates: 1.5 to 120Mbps
Adjustable encoder buffer, 0 to 8 sec
Chroma Subsampling: 4:2:2 (default), 4:2:0; 4:4:4 requires add’l license
Color Space: Native RGB, Native XYZ, DCI/ICT RGB, Rec.601, Rec.709, Rec.2020, P3 D65
Full Duplex streaming: The unit offers 4 streaming channels: 2 Encoders for sending streams, and 2 Decoders for receiving streams.
What’s Needed:
Set up Encoder / Decoder per ‘Initial Connections’ section below
Optional, for use with Streambox Cloud Services: Get account name (DRM) from Streambox Sales or Support (if you don’t already have one). Not required for Direct point-to-point workflow.
Anatomy of the Chroma Half-Rack Hardware
Front Panel
USB (2) ports, Off/On button LCD panel with 4-way controller (press controller to select)
Rear Panel (2110+SDI Model - Decklink IP/SDI HD)
Includes (2) USB 3.0 ports, (2) HDMI ports for console output, (2) 1G ethernet ports for control;
Decklink includes (2) 3G-SDI connections, 10G Ethernet port, and 1 Reference BNC connection.
Rear Panel (2110 Optical Model - Decklink HD Optical)
Includes (2) USB 3.0 ports, (2) HDMI ports for console output, (2) 1G ethernet ports for control;
Decklink includes 10G Optical Fiber SFP+ Port
Rear Panel (4K Model - Decklink 8K Pro)
Includes (2) USB 3.0 ports, (2) HDMI ports for console output, (2) 1G ethernet ports for control;
Decklink includes 4x 12G-SDI connections and 1 Reference connection (leftmost as pictured); Decklink can be switched between Duo (full duplex) mode with 2 inputs, two outputs, and Quad (half duplex) mode with 4 inputs or 4 outputs.
Initial Connections
Connections vary with the model; see Video Card Guide below.
Connect to Ethernet LAN (Internet) connection on Net1 (DHCP) or Net2 (Static IP)
Plug into the 110V AC outlet
- As Encoder:
IP/SDI model: connect 2110 video source to the 10G ethernet port next to the SDI connector OR connect the source to the 3G-SDI connector.
Optical model: connect optical source to the LC-type optical connector
- 8K Pro model: Connect to SDI-connectors 3 and/or 4 when Decklink is in full-duplex mode. (Appropriate for single or dual connections.) Connect to all four video SDI connectors when using quad link and set the Decklink to Quad/half-duplex mode.
Note that the pins are numbered “Ref-4-3-2-1” as you face the back of the unit.
- As Decoder:
IP/SDI model: connect 2110 network connection to the 10G ethernet port next to the SDI connector OR connect the monitor/destination device to the 3G-SDI connector.
Optical model: connect monitor to the LC-type optical connector
- 8K Pro model: Connect to SDI-connectors 1 and/or 2 when Decklink is in full-duplex mode. (Appropriate for single or dual connections.) Connect to all four video SDI connectors when using quad link and set the Decklink to Quad/half-duplex mode.
Note that the pins are numbered “Ref-4-3-2-1” as you face the back of the unit.
Determine assigned IP address (see IP Address section in Appendix) and 2110 IP address if used
Video Card Guide
NOTE: In all cases, the Tab at the top of these below diagrams is oriented to the right as once faces the back of the Streambox.
Blackmagic Decklink HD IP/SDI
Blackmagic Decklink HD Optical
Blackmagic Decklink 8K Pro
Initial Setup
First you must decide whether the unit will be used as a decoder or an encoder. It can be used as either, but not simultaneously.
Using an Internet browser on the same network, enter the unit’s IP address into the browser’s address field (see top image).
If this is the first time the unit has been setup then a screen with an ENCODER and DECODER selector will be displayed (see image to right). Select the highlighted/blue text which indicates the current mode that is online (regardless of what mode you want to setup). Login.
Login
The factory-set username is ‘administrator’ and ‘demo’ for the password.
After you have completed the setup we recommend that you create new
accounts for login.
Encoder Mode
The Encoder mode has 10 tabs:
Info: The Info page is essentially the status report of the video source, video stream characteristics, and destination. A preview of the source video is provided with a frame rate option of OFF, High (up to 30/sec), Medium (5/sec), Low (1/sec), and Spot check (1/10sec). The START/STOP Streaming button is located here as well.
Network: The Network page is where you set the Destination IP, Target Bitrate, and other values related to the video stream. Depending on the available network bandwidth, Target Bitrates from 1.5 to 120Mbps can be used; the selection for a given stream depends on the resolution and q. The Destination IP can be any Streambox Decoder, Media Player, StreamON Server, or Streambox Cloud.
The Protocol selection for most streams should be LDMP. LDMP is Streambox’s proprietary “Low Delay Multipath” transport protocol which creates a 2-way connection of UDP data packet exchange for the purpose of automatic network connection bonding on the Encoder end, error correction, and reliability.
The alternative is the one-way connection UDP, which should be used in concert with Forward Error Correction. The lowest latency possible is achieved using UDP, but should only be attempted over the very highest reliability networks.
NOTE: when using UDP mode, set Single mode for nearly all workflows; Broadcast and Multicast are for some legacy workflows.
Config: The Config page is where you set the characteristics of the video stream. You can choose from a Present configuration, create or modify your own Preset, or manually enter the desired values.
Note: Color Profile 4:4:4, Bit Depth 12, and Native color spaces are only available with the 12G-SDI option. Also, both 4:4:4 profile or 12-bit color require an RGB signal.
Select a Color Profile 
Select a Bit Depth  | Select a Color Space 
NEW – ACT-L5 codec provides more control over color management – 4:4:4 profile, 10 & 12-bit depth, and native color space. For additional details see ACT-L5 codec and Native Color Space sections in the Appendix. |
Metadata: The metadata page provides text fields for Title, Location, Reporter, and Producer. These text items are embedded in the stream. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that the Metadata remain enabled, even if the fields are blank, as additional hidden metadata, necessary for stream function, is also toggled by this On/Off switch.
The “DRM” item can be set in the System tab, and will primarily be used when streaming to StreamON Server or Streambox Cloud.
DolbyVision Metadata Capture Mode is for use with the Dolby Vision and HDR10+ dynamic metadata HDR methods, for transmitting the dynamic HDR metadata used by those systems. Note that using either one requires a Dolby Vision license. HDR that’s static or already tone-mapped before streaming does not require a license.
Accounts: The Accounts page is only displayed for account administrators and is where accounts are created or modified. This is also the place to change passwords.
Set session timeout to 0 to disable the feature that automatically logs the user out of the web control panel.
Encryption: The Encryption page is where you enable/disable encryption and set the Encryption Key. When enabled, the receiving decoder must use the identical key as its Decryption Key. Another indication of a decryption failure due to mismatch is a black screen instead of the incoming video, but sound is unaffected.
Source: The Source page allows you to select the video source. For 2110, select the following:
Capture Driver: Blackmagic
Capture Device: Decklink IP/SDI HD Followed by [Card0] or [Card1], depending on your input
Capture Input: EtherCop
Output as Virtual Source setting allows you to use multiple encoding channels with the same source. To use it, check the Enable box, and set a Chain Channel of your choice. In the subsequent encoding channels using the same source, select the source as a Chain Channel and select the same numbered channel.
System: The System page provides System Info, the DRM field (for account identity), the Start, Restart, Advanced Mode (for support), and Features (for activation) buttons.
Be sure that ACT-L5 is selected under Codec; the ACT-L3 is our older, legacy codec which is limited to 4:2:2, 8-bit color.
Log: The Log page provides a method to log all encoder activity for diagnostic purposes.
Decoder Mode
The Decoder mode has 8 tabs:
Info: The Info page is essentially the status report of the incoming video stream plus any embedded metadata: Title, Location, Reporter, Producer, and GPS Location. Basic decoder information is also displayed.
Network: The Network page is where standard network settings are managed. Most importantly, this is where you set the incoming port number should you need to change the default UDP port, 1770.
To use this Decoder with a Session code, such as when using Streambox Cloud or StreamON Server, use the “Session (P2P)” mode under Pull Stream. Click “Pull/P2P mode” to START pulling the stream, and “Receive Mode” to STOP the stream coming in.
Output: The Output page is where general output settings are found like the number of audio channels, to show audio meters and timer on the display, and output format settings. It is also where the Genlock settings are located.
Note: Not every project will call for 12-bit, 4:4:4 color or be able to support the high bitrate requirements. For projects where 10-bit color is sufficient or for low bitrate scenarios, you can select the 4:2:2 or 4:2:0 color profile on the ‘Config’ tab of the encoder and maintain high quality RBG input and output by turning on the ‘Force RGB” option on the decoder.
Accounts: The accounts page here is identical to the page on the Encoder side, and allows one to create and manage users for controlling access to the Web UI. This is also the place to change passwords.
Encryption: The Encryption page is where you set the Decryption Key. The receiving decoder must use the identical encryption key used by the encoder.
Encryption Error: If the keys do not match, you will see an ‘Encryption Error’ notice in the status bar (upper right) of the Decoder Web UI. If the stream appears to be arriving with sound but a black screen for video, this indicates an encryption mismatch.
System: The System page provides System Info, the DRM field (for account identity when using Streambox Cloud), the Start, Restart, and Advanced Mode (for support) buttons.
Log: The Log page provides a method to log all encoder activity for diagnostic purposes.
Features: The Features tab, same as on the Encoder side, shows some system info about the hardware and a list of features available for activation, along with checkboxes and expiration dates for activated features. Additionally, the 6-digit Hardware ID (needed for license code generation) is displayed just above the field where one enters activation codes. Activation codes are issued by Streambox Support or Sales and are either 9 or 16 digits in length. Sample Setups
Point-to-point (intranet)
1. On the Encoder’s Network page,
Set the Target Bitrate to 12000
Set VBR Buffer to 0.1
Set Destination IP to match the Streambox decoder IP. If streaming over the internet without using VLAN or VPN, you must use the public IP address of the Decoder.
Set Protocol to LDMP
Leave all else as defaults
START stream on Info Page
2. On the Decoder leave all default settings.
Point-to-point (Internet)
1. On the Encoder’s Network page,
Set the Target Bitrate to 8000
Set VBR Buffer to 0.1
Set Destination IP to match the public IP for the network where the Streambox Decoder is located. You can Google ‘what is my ip’ from the destination network for that value.
Set Protocol to LDMP
Leave all else as defaults
START stream on Info Page
2. On the Decoder leave all default settings.
You will need to set port forwarding IP in the Decoder’s network’s network firewall (or modem) to forward port 1770 UDP to the Decoder’s private address.
Appendix
A. Logging onto a Streambox Rackmount
Streambox System Console Login & Access
When you connect a monitor and keyboard/mouse directly to the Chroma unit, you may need to login to gain access. Use the following credentials for initial access: Streambox login: = sb, password: = Streambox
IP Address
To view or set the IP Addresses assigned to the Streambox, do the following from the console access described above:
Ethernet IP Address
Open the Chromium browser and go to:
Log in to the Web UI as directed in Initial setup (administrator/demo) and go to the System tab. Click the Advanced Mode button to enter the legacy interface. Go to Network, then select LAN1 or LAN2 (as needed). Once here you can set Static IP addresses or select DHCP mode. Click apply after making changes.
2110 IP Address
To set the IP info for 2110, go to this URL:
http://[IPaddress]/avenir/settings_2110.php
Enter the Network settings and enable the PTP Use UDP parameter
Remote Web Login & Access
This is reviewed in the above section, Initial Setup, on page 7.
B. HTTPS
The default configuration for internet connection to the Streambox units is HTTP. If your corporate protocol demands HTTPS connection, you will have to obtain the requisite certificate and then contact Streambox Support for installation instructions.
C. ACT-L5 codec
Simply put, the new ACT-L5 codec allows us to say – We Deliver Better Pixels.
Streambox ACT-L5 is an adaptive bitrate codec capable of encoding full resolution, 4096 x 2160, 4K or 2K Cinema DCI 23.98, 24, and 25 fps – or – 3840 x 2160 UHD at 60, 50, 30, 23.98, and 24 fps and 4K video in real time, as well as HD 1080p at up to 60fps, along with 720p and 1080i.
The Streambox ACT-L5 Codec:
Designed for Cinematic Experience
Mezzanine Quality Video Contribution
4:4:4, 4:2:2, and 4:2:0 color profiles including RGB
High color depth 12, 10, and 8-bit
High color gamut, with support for Rec.2020, DCI P3, and Rec. 709
Native RGB support
High resolution for 4K DCI
Native support for HDR (high dynamic range) with more precise color range and greater contrast control
Native support for HFR, high frame rate
High efficiency encoding for deep color and high resolution
Dynamic resolution support
Increased capacity for high bandwidth contribution workflows
Suitable for production quality video file storage and transfer workflows
Support for PCM, uncompressed Audio
D. Native Color Space
Why deal with transformation artifacts when you can edit and color code within the native colorspace?
When selected, RGB or XYZ color space is captured natively to avoid artifacts from color conversion. This is a unique feature of Streambox Chroma and is well suited for high color precision HDR/Rec. 2020 or DCI-P3 workflows in 12-bit, or for direct output to projectors.
DCI, Inter-component Color Transform (ICT), RGB transform — is well suited for DCI-P3 workflows. This provides more efficient encoding vs native RGB/XYZ with modest color fidelity cost. On the decoder side, DCI-ICT will be converted to 10 or 12-bit RGB. It can be used for lower bitrate 10-bit HDR work as well.
Rec.709 full range standard for FHD broadcast is the most efficient color transform for a television workflow. On the decoder side, the video coding will be converted back to RGB.
E. Contact Information
Telephone
Office Main Line: +1 206.956.0544 Tel Fax: +1 206.956.0570 ax
Sales and Information
sales@streambox.com
+1 206.956.0544, Option 1
Technical Support
support@streambox.com
+1 206.956.0544, Option 2
Corporate Headquarters
Streambox Inc.
1400 112th Ave SE
Suite 100 - #6269
Bellevue, WA 98004