A step-by-step comprehensive guide for Konfig.
Konfig is a utility used to configure the input video sources, encoding parameters and the Microblock streaming output destination.
If you have not already, please set up your encoder with a video source and connect it to your network. This will enable you to configure it within Konfig.
Check out:
Accessing Konfig
This utility can be reached directly on the encoder itself, on a local network, or from online.
Accessing Konfig on a local network:
Using a computer web browser on the same local network, enter the encoder’s IP address into the navigation bar.
Accessing Konfig from online (this will be the most common method):
Go to konfig.mobii.com and sign-in using your provided credentials.
When accessing Konfig, the first thing you want to do is select an encoder. If you do not have an encoder selected, you will not be able to navigate around. To select an encoder simply navigate to the encoder menu (via the left hand menu). Once you are there, you will see all encoders you have access to.
On the left hand side of each available encoder, you will see a radio select button. Click on the respective button to select the desired encoder. Next to each radio select, you will see either a 'cloud' (online) or a 'power' (offline) image. This shows you whether that encoder is online or not. You will notice you cannot select an encoder that is offline.
Dashboard
The dashboard will provide you will useful information regarding the Konfig space such as a summary of streams and devices.
Menu
The menu contains the following items:
Home: Returns you to the Dashboard
Encoders: Lists the encoders linked to your organization tenant (Viewed via Konfig online only)
Inputs: You can create/preview video input sources
Video Encoding Profiles: Used to configure video encoding parameters
Audio Encoding Profiles: Used to configure audio encoding parameters
Outputs: Used to configure output streams and their destination
Recordings: Used to manage recordings on the encoder
Encoders
This menu option is only available when accessing Konfig from online and lists the current encoders associated with your organization tenant, including the status (online/offline), encoder name the Device Identifier, along with last connected/disconnected time and dates.
When accessing Konfig for the first time, you are required to select a Device that you would like to access. Once selected, the encoder’s name will be visible at the top of the page.
Please note that you can only select and work with an encoder that is online. If you do not select and encoder, you will not be able to navigate to the other menu options such as 'Inputs' or 'Outputs'.
Refer to the image below for guidance on selecting an encoder. The chosen encoder is highlighted at the top with a radio select on the left, adjacent to a cloud icon indicating its online status. A cloud icon signifies that the encoder is online, while a power icon denotes offline status. Keep in mind that you cannot select an offline encoder.
Inputs
The input section is used to effortlessly manage your input sources.
In this section, you can easily create and handle your input video sources. Whether you're working with SDI inputs or other sources, you have the flexibility to name your inputs, link them to your encoder, along with the number of audio channels available on that source .
By default, these inputs are in a 'Stopped' state, indicating that your encoder isn't actively using them. To preview the input source or incorporate it into a streaming output, simply initiate it, changing its state to 'Running'.
It's essential to note that starting an input doesn't automatically trigger a stream; it's the initial step in the encoding process. Once activated, the preview will display an updating image render of the input stream, refreshing approximately 2-3 times per second.
Video Encoding Profiles
This section enables you to create Video Encoding Profiles, that can be reused in your streaming outputs.
When creating a new Video Encoding Profile, the first step is to specify the following parameters that will be applied:
Video Encoding Profile Name: Name your video encoding profile
Keyframe Interval (GOP): Specifies the interval between Keyframes. A 3-4 second interval is recommended. This setting does not affect latency.
Profile: Specifies the encoding profile. 'Baseline' is supported by older devices. 'High' uses the latest encoding features and produces better quality.
Preset: Specifies the encoding preset. This setting internally adjusts the encoder algorithm to produce low latency vs quality. The higher the quality, the more GPU resources are consumed.
Rate Control: Overrides the automatic rate control for the specified 'Preset'. VBR produces better quality. CBR is recommended for low bandwidth uploads.
B-Frames: Sets the encoding B-Frame pattern. For example, 3 B-Frames = a pattern of IBBBP. Latency increases by the number of B-frames specified. More B-Frames produce higher quality for the specified bitrate.
Once these parameters are applied, the next step is to create the Bitrate/Resolution Ladder for the Video Encoding Profile.
Each Ladder allows you to set the Average Bitrate (Kbps) and specify the Resolution (in 16:9 format). By default, each Ladder will use the Frames per Second (FPS) value of the associated Input Source. However, this can be changed using the Half-Frame Rate checkbox, which encodes the track at half the input frame rate. This option is only applied when input frame rate is >= 50 fps and is typically used to produce an ABR ladder with mixed high and low frame rates for device compatibility.
Audio Encoding Profiles
This section enables you to create Audio Encoding Profiles, that can be reused in your streaming outputs.
When creating a new Audio Encoding Profile, the first step is to specify the following parameters that will be applied:
Audio Encoding Profile Name: Name your video encoding profile
Audio Encoding: Specifies the audio encoding profile (AAC)
Algorithm: Specifies the encoding profile. 'Baseline' is supported by older devices. 'High' uses the latest encoding features and produces better quality.
Once these parameters are applied, the next step is to create the Bitrate Ladder for the Audio Encoding Profile.
Each Ladder allows you to set the Average Bitrate (Kbps). If you are unsure of what to use, we recommend 128 Kbps.
Outputs
When creating an output, you'll want to name (Templates) and add a session name (basic video and audio). Once the output is created, you will see the output created. You'll then want to go in and configure that output.
Mode: This defines where the video/audio will be accessible. Please be aware, if you select local, you will need to manage the storage on your encoder as it will continuously store the data on that device.
Main Input: This is where you will select the input source for this specific output. Note that you can reuse these input sources across multiple outputs.
Video Encoding: This is where you are able to select your video encoding profile that you created previously.
Audio Encoding: This is where you are able to select your audio encoding profile that you created previously.
GPU: This selection allows you to select the specific graphics card you wish to encode the video and audio. In most cases, you will only have one GPU. However, if you do have multiple, this is how you can split the streams between GPU's to reduce the workload.
Framerate: This dropdown allows you to select the framerate for your streams. Native (Passthrough) is standard however you can change that here.
Outputs: 5 outputs per session.
Microblocks: Send the stream online to Mobii services to stream out to the public. Once the stream is sent to our services, we can then output RTMP, SRT, etc feeds.
RTMP: Not used to send streams online - used for a localized output.
SDI: This allows you to input a video source through a SDI port and then output it via another SDI channel.
Recordings
The recordings menu will show you what is locally stored on your encoder. In most cases, you will not have any recordings stored here.