Live TV Support

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'TV Input' refers to a video feed of a broadcast television station. This video feed can originate from a standard cable or satellite provider (i.e. Comcast, Disk Network, etc), an over-the-air (OTA) signal (generally provided by local television channels, such as WNLO in Buffalo), or a video signal from a custom designed cable system (such as legacy display systems that distributed a central video signal directly to TVs via coax cable). 

Most TV set top boxes output an HDCP encrypted video signal. The encrypted video signal can NOT be decrypted by a media player.

Live TV Options

The media player has three mechanisms to support live TV Input:

1. Dedicated TV Tuner hardware

Via a dedicated TV Tuner PCI-E card (details below), the media player supports unecrypted ATSC and clear QAM television broadcasts. To use a TV tuner card within a media player, see the Live TV content widget. 

2. Direct video capture from 3rd party hardware

Via a dedicated Video Input PCI-E card (details below), the media player supports standard definition video capture from any device that outputs via Composite or S-Video connectors. A high definition video capture device is also available that accepts HDMI or SDI unencrypted video signals. To use the video capture device with the media player, see the Video Input content widget. 

3. Video capture from an IP streaming device

Via the Video Stream Widget, the media Player can play back an RTSP or MMS stream from 3rd party devices (details below) that generate an IP video stream from a TV input. To use a video streaming device with the media player, see the Streaming Widget. 

Non-support Options

  • The media player cannot support any encrypted video signal. This includes almost all broadcast cable and satellite television, as well as HDCP encrypted HDMI output from virtually all set-top boxes sold in North America.   
  • There is currently no built-in solution for direct high definition video capture via HDMI for HDCP encrypted video signals.
  • The media player cannot support 3rd party network streaming devices that use proprietary or encrypted streaming technologies.
  • Contact customer support for more information about HDCP encrypted video signals.

Hardware Support

SD Capture Device

  • Supports TV Input (ATSC/Clear QAM) for unencrypted broadcasts only
  • Supports standard definition video capture via S-Video, Composite connections.
  • Available as an optional add-in card to the the RP931 media player.

HD Capture Device

  • Requires EnGage R8.5 player.  Available as an Add-in card for an RP931 or RP1025
  • Supports HDMI and 3D-SDI input
  • Does not support HDCP encrypted video sources.

Video Streaming Device (Silicon Dust HDHomeRun)

  • Standalone box, interfaces with a media player via a streaming widget.  
  • Supports TV Input (ATSC/Clear QAM) for unencrypted broadcasts only
  • Provides an RTSP network video stream that can be played back simultaneously by multiple EnGage Players.
  • Is managed and configured by the user/installer as a 3rd party device via the manufacturer provided software.


 

As a possible solution to displaying HDCP content, a 3rd party device such as an OREI HD-104 1x4 4 Ports HDMI Powered Splitter could be used however, this device is NOT supported nor is any responsibly assumed for the use of the device by ComQi.

 

Software Support

TV/Live Input Widget

  • To be used with an media player using the SD capture device.
  • Each widget allows a single channel to be configured.
  • All of the configuration details (frequency, transport stream information, etc) of the channel must known and input when creating the widget.

Video Input Widget (SD)

  • To be used with a media player using the SD video capture device to accept S-video or Composite video (NTSC or PAL).
  • Only supports standard definition video inputs.

Video Input Widget (HD)

  • To be used with a media player using the HD video capture device to accept HDMI or SDI video.
  • Supports standard definition and high definition video inputs.
  • Requires firmware 8.5 or greater on the media player.

Streaming Widget

  • To be used by any media player in an environment where a networked video stream is available (for example, using the SiliconDust HDHomeRun).
  • Supports RTSP and MMS video streams
  • The user must know the network details (IP address or host name, port, etc) of the networked streaming video device.