Application Note Media Player to FTP Server Sync Setup

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Application Note

Media Player to FTP Server Sync Setup

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1

Introduction

A quick, easy and very low cost way to remotely manage content such as video, playlists, schedules and data-logs on a digital signage media player with an FTP server.

DV-Sync is a Digital View media player based application protocol for scheduled file synchronization with an FTP server. It is designed to enable single or multiple ViewStream 320, ViewStream520 or ViewStream 700 media players to synchronize and update media and command files such as:

• Videos and still images

• Playlists

• Schedules

• Updated .ini type command files (e.g. NETCFG.INI, DVSYNC.INI)

• Datalogs

This Application Note shows how to set up a Digital View media player and an FTP server.

1.1 Preparation

To enable media player to FTP server file synchronization, you will require:

 At least one ViewStream 320 (VS-320), ViewStream 520 (VS-520) or ViewStream 700 (VS-700) and related a “DVSYNC.INI” files, see the setup section below.

 FTP server with LAN or Internet access, see Section 2

1.2 Use

When the FTP connection has been established and the ability to synchronize verified it is simply a matter of putting new video content in the FTP folders. (e.g. /MEDIA/*.mpg)

Groups: To creates groups of managed media players simply create a content folder for each group and have the relevant players synchronize with the group.

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2

FTP Server

An FTP server may be available as follows:

• Website server

• PC or Server with Internet access or on LAN

• Existing FTP server

The following sections provide more details on FTP servers.

2.1 Website Server

Website servers are typically enabled with FTP access. It is usually relatively straightforward to create a folder and implement a password access restriction – for many website servers this can be done through the site management console.

Alternatively many FTP clients allow creation of folders and the setting of access right using passwords.

Some well known FTP clients include:

• FileZilla (Mac & PC)

• SmartFTP (PC)

Web browsers: Most recent versions of web browsers can be used as FTP clients but lack the management tools for creating folders and access rights.

To allocate players to separate groups it is simply a case of creating additional folders.

2.2 PC or Server

A PC or server can be setup as a suitable FTP server to work with a Digital View media player and DV-Sync. Section 5shows an example setup of an FTP server using the freeware FileZilla program.

2.3 Existing FTP Server

Very similar to the technique for working with a web based server the main issue to handle is any firewall. This may require a system administrator to modify settings.

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3

Media Player Setup

3.1 DVSYNC.INI file

The DVSYNC.INI file on the Digital View VS-320, VS-520 and VS-700 series media players defines the location of files on the FTP server. DVSYNC.INI must be placed in the “media” folder on the VS/320/VS-520/ VS-700.

Ensure both settings on FTP server and the DVSYNC.ini are identical. The settings include Server IP, Content path, Data log path, Username, Password and the port number.

You can use DV Studio to create DVSYNC.INI. It can be uploaded using USB update (refer to the USB Update Application note).

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The DVSYNC.INI files details are:

File Content (“DVSYNC.INI” )

Description

DVSYNC_INTERVAL_TIME_IN_MINUTE=1 Server synchronization

interval

INCLUDE_FILE File extension(s) types to be

specifically included

EXCLUDE_FILE File extension(s) types to be

excluded

DVSYNC_CONTENT_SERVER_IP=10.1.0.138 FTP Content Server IP

address or Domain Name

DVSYNC_CONTENT_SERVER_PATH=/media/ FTP Server Content path

DVSYNC_CONTENT_SERVER_USERNAME=DVSYNC FTP Server access

user name

DVSYNC_CONTENT_PWD=123456 FTP Server access

password

DVSYNC_CONTENT_PORT_NO=1818 FTP Server access

login port

DVSYNC_DATALOG_INTERVAL_TIME_IN_MINUTE=1 Upload data log to server in minutes

DVSYNC_DATALOG_SERVER_IP=10.1.0.138 FTP Data log Server IP

address or Domain Name

DVSYNC_DATALOG_SERVER_PATH=/datalog/ FTP Server Data log path

DVSYNC_DATALOG_SERVER_USERNAME=DVSYNC FTP Server access data

log user name

DVSYNC_DATALOG_PWD=123456 FTP Server access data

log password

DVSYNC_DATALOG_PORT_NO=1818 FTP Server access Data

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3.2 NETCFG.INI file

The netcfg.ini file defines the system configuration of the VS-520/VS-700. The file is located under “MEDIA” folder on the CF card for the system configuration during power up. If this file is not present on the card, the default NVRAM stored values will be used.

The NETCFG.INI file can be uploaded using USB update (refer to the USB Update Application note).

The DVSYNC.INI files details are:

File Content (“NETCFG.INI” )

Description

IO_OUTPUT_MESSAGE_THROUGH_232_ENABLE

Enable message output on RS-232 port 0 = Disable message output

1 = Enable message output [Default]

IP_OVERWRITE

Change IP settings on player

0 = Keep the old IP settings on player [Default] 1 = Overwrite with new IP settings on player

IP

IP address

0.0.0.0 = DHCP mode [Default: 0.0.0.0]

NETMASK

Subnet mask (Ignore if set to DHCP) [Default: 0.0.0.0]

GATEWAY

Gateway value (Ignore if set to DHCP) [Default: 0.0.0.0] DNS1 DNS table DNS2 [ Default: 0.0.0.0] TIME_ZONE

GMT time zone setting Format: +/- hh [Default: 0]

DVSYNC_SHOW_DOWNLOAD_FILENAME

Display filename on screen while downloading 0 = Do not show filename while content updating 1 = Show filename while content updating [Default]

USB_UPDATE_ENABLE

Enable USB update 0 – Disable

1 – Enable USB update [Default]

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pool.ntp.org [Default]

DATALOG_DURATION_IN_DAY

Max. day(s) to keep data log [Default: 31]

CLEANUP_INTERVAL_IN_MINUTE

Interval to clean up data log [Default: 1440]

DAILY_END_TIME_ENABLE

Stop playing End of Day 0 = disable

1 = enable [Default]

USB_POLLING_TIME_FOR_MOUNT_IN_SECON

The polling time to check USB device [Default: 30]

TELNET_ENABLE

Open Telnet port 0 = disable [Default] 1 = enable

VOLUME

Master volume set, Range (0-32) [Default: 16]

X_SCREEN_MODE

This is a READ ONLY value in netcfg.ini. The mode value is reported by player.

1 (1280x720p60 – VGA) 12 (1920x1080i60 – VGA) 2 (1280x768p60 – VGA) 113 (NTSC – S-Video) 3 (1280x1024p60 – VGA) 114 (PAL – S-Video) 4 (1920x1080p60 – VGA) 201 (1280x720p60 – YUV) 5 (1024x768p60 – VGA) 212 (1920x1080i60 – YUV) 6 (800x600p60 – VGA) 213 (NTSC – YUV) 7 (640x480p60 – VGA) 214 (PAL – YUV) 8 (1920x1200p60 – VGA) 401 (1280x720p60 – HDMI) 9 (1600x900p60 – VGA) 404 (1920x1080p60 – HDMI) 10 (1600x900p60 – VGA) 405 (1024x768p60 – HDMI) 11 (1600x1200p60 – VGA) 411 (1600x1200p60 – HDMI)

TRACKTOTRACK_ENABLE

Function of Track to Track Gap removal 0 – Disable [Default]

1 – Enable

DAILY_REBOOT_ENABLE

Auto reboot by daily 0 – Disable 1 – Enable [Default]

DAILY_REBOOT_TIME

Auto reboot schedule

[Default: 030000] Mid-night 03:00:00

DATALOG_ENABLE

Datalog enable 0 – Disable 1 – Enable [Default]

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A basic NETCFG.INI can be downloaded to amend from the Media Tools section on the Digital View website - http://www.digitalview.com/support/support-documents

Some examples:

If you are using DHCP, netcfg.ini should look like this (i.e. IP set to 0.0.0.0)

IP=0.0.0.0 NETMASK=0.0.0.0 GATEWAY=0.0.0.0 DNS1=0.0.0.0 DNS2=0.0.0.0 TIME_ZONE=8 DVSYNC_SHOW_DOWNLOAD_FILENAME=1

If you are using a static IP then the file should instead have IP, Netmask and Gateway value assigned from your LAN administrator. See this example:

IP=192.168.1.60 NETMASK=255.255.255.0 GATEWAY=192.168.1.210 DNS1=205.252.177.77 DNS2=208.167.231.55 TIME_ZONE=8 DVSYNC_SHOW_DOWNLOAD_FILENAME=1

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3.3 OSD Message

The media player OSD screen can be set to show the filename that is being downloaded, see below for the settings to enable/disable this.

Add a command “SHOW_DOWNLOAD_FILENAME=1” in the NETCFG.INI file, and upload it to the VS-520/VS-700.

Set the value to “1” to enable this OSD function. Set the value to “0” to disable this OSD function.

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4

Server Content

4.1 Server File Extensions

Files in the server must have their file extension visible, they must not hide the file extension (e.g. ABC.MPG).

If file extensions are not visible follow the following steps to unhide them: 1. Open “My Computer” ->”Tools”->”Folder Options”.

2. Select “View” page and uncheck the “Hide extensions for known file types”, then click “OK” to finish.

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4.2 ‘

Reboot

’

file

1. Transfer new content to the target FTP folder for media player synchronization. 2. After the transfer is complete, create a “reboot” file on the FTP server content path.

The “reboot” file is an empty text file with its file extension removed.

If there is an existing “reboot” file then remove it and then create a new file.

3. Any VS-320, VS-520 or VS-700 media players correctly setup for this FTP location will synchronize the content automatically.

4. The FileZilla server can display the status when an VS-320, VS-520 or VS-700 media player connects and download content.

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5

FileZilla – FTP Server

FileZilla is a freeware FTP server application for Windows; it can be downloaded from the following link:

http://filezilla-project.org/download.php?type=server

5.1 Setup and Install

1. Double click the installation file.

2. Click “Run” to start installing the software.

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4. Select “Standard” as the type of install and click “next.

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6. Choose the action when windows is started, and set the port as 14147, then click “Next”.

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8. After the setting, it will start to install the software.

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6

FTP Server Settings

6.1 Create FTP server folders

1. Create FTP server folder

2. Create a media folder inside server folder

3. Create a data log folder inside server folder

6.2 Windows firewall setting

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2. Select Exceptions page and click “Add Port”.

3. Give a name of the port and add the ports number as 1818 in TCP mode then click “OK”.

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4. Repeat the step 2 & 3 to add the port number 1819.

5. After add the port, you will see the services in the table, then click “OK” to finish the firewall setting.

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6.3 FileZilla setting

1. Run Configure FTP server Interface (C:\Program Files\FileZilla Server\FileZilla Server Interface.exe”)

2. Set the configuration : Select “Edit” -> “Settings”

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 Set the “Use custom port range” as 1819-1819 in “Passive mode setting page, then click “OK”.

3. Set the User account: Select “Edit” -> “Users”.

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 Highlight the new user, enable the account and the password, and then set the password.

4. Map local drive folder to FTP server: Select the “Shared folders” page, and highlight the new user.

 Click “Add” to add the shared folder.

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 Repeat the step 4.1 & 4.2 to add the “media” and “datalog” to be shared folders (folder created in section 3.1).

5. Check the comments of the shared folders.

 Highlight “C:\FTP\media” to set the server permission.

Files: - Read(checked) - Write(not checked) - Delete(not checked) - Append(not checked) Directories: - Create(not checked) - Delete(not checked) - List(checked) - + Subdirs(checked)

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 Highlight “C:\FTP\datalog” to set the server permission. Files: - Read(checked) - Write(checked) - Delete(checked) - Append(checked) Directories: - Create(not checked) - Delete(not checked) - List(checked) - + Subdirs(checked)

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CONTACT DETAILS

USA: Digital View Inc.

18440 Technology Drive Building 130

Morgan Hill, CA 95037

Tel: (1) 408-782 7773 Fax: (1) 408-782 7883

Sales: [email protected]

EUROPE: Digital View Ltd 6 Marylebone Passage London W1W 8EX UK Tel: (44) (0)20 7631 2150 Fax: (44) (0)20 7631 2156 Sales: [email protected]

ASIA: Digital View Ltd

16th_{floor, Millennium City 3}

370 Kwun Tong Road Kwun Tong

Hong Kong

Tel: (852) 2861 3615 Fax: (852) 2520 2987

Sales: [email protected]

Specifications subject to change without notice

Application Note Media Player to FTP Server Sync Setup