The VidCtrl Light Kit is the ideal low cost solution for MPEG-2 real-time video encoding, streaming and playback for the Real-time Operating System QNX® 6.2.

The VidCtrl Light Kit contains the three most important components of its big brother - the VidCtrl Video Device manufactured by BitCtrl Systems GmbH. The package comprises the following parts: MPEG-2 VidCtrl encoder card (PCI) Light BitCtrl® encoder driver & streaming server Light BitCtrl® Player The VidCtrl Light Kit is like a construction set which can be set up by the user individually in an appropriate kind.

Pict. VidCtrl Player Screenshot

Pict. VidCtrl Encoder Card

The PCI VidCtrl encoder card can be connected to various analogue video sources (cameras, players, etc.) via the S-Video or Composite input. The stereo audio signal can be added over a jack connector. The VidCtrl encoder card compresses both signals and forms the MPEG-2 program stream. In a common PC (> Intel Pentium II, 300 MHz) up to four VidCtrl encoder cards can be operated unless the Light BitCtrl® Player is used at the same time. In order to properly playback a PAL D1 format stream, a high-performance processor is necessary for the Light BitCtrl® Player, e.g. an Intel® Pentium® III - IV with at least 1,2 GHz.

The following prerequisits must be met in order to run the VidCtrl encoder card:

The Light BitCtrl® Streaming Server transmits the MPEG-2 video stream of each VidCtrl encoder card over the Internet/Intranet in multicast mode. The streaming is IP based. This way any number of users can watch the same video simultanuously, provided that the necessary licenses are installed.

If several VidCtrl encoder cards and PCs are used, then complex video broadcast systems can be build using VidCtrl Video Servers.

The Light BitCtrl® encoder driver & streaming server contains the following programs:

The online parametrization and control of these devices is only part of the VidCtrl Video Devices and not included in the Light version.

The Light BitCtrl® Player serves two purposes, it is streaming client (receiver) and MPEG-2 video player as well. Desides pure playback the software is able to record the MPEG-2 stream. The Light version offers the following functionalities:

Pict. VidCtrl Player Main Menu

Open: opens a file or a multicast connection Play: plays the video stream Pause: stops the play, in case the video source is a file, play will continue from this point Record: records the video stream

IMPORTANT: The Light BitCtrl® Player is only useable in connection with a properly installed VidCtrl encoder card, which must be available in the network. This means the player cannot play files as long as the VidCtrl encoder card is not reachable. Besides, the Light version does not support MPEG-1.

For each VidCtrl Light Kit an arbitrary number of Light BitCtrl® Players can be ordered and operated. The video can be displayed in its original size as well as in full display mode. As long as the MPEG-2 signal is not arriving with a secured constant bit rate it can be practicable to deactivate the compulsorily synchronization of the image rate.

Pict. File or network input of the BitCtrl® Player

Under the menu item "Preferences" the video network and other parameters can be configured.

Pict. Video Parameter of the Light BitCtrl® Player

Pict. Network Parameter of the Light BitCtrl® Player

Pict. Misc Parameter of the Light BitCtrl® Player

Under the menu item "Misc" a filename for recording can be specified. Additionally a sequence of screenshots can be made for a defined time interval. Please note that the offered features of the VidCtrl Video Device outnumber those of the Light VidCtrl Kit essentially.

The VidCtrl encoder card has the following essential characteristics:

To get to know the current prices for the product packages, please write an email to BitCtrl having 'VidCtrl-Light-Prices' in the subject line.