IDC Satellite Receivers

The SFX 2100R (1U)


Since 1984, International Datacasting Corporation (IDC) has been a recognized market leader in the point-to-multipoint distribution of broadband multimedia content over satellite. IDC is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:IDC).

 International Datacasting Corporation (TSX: IDC) is a global leader in digital content distribution for the world’s premiere broadcasters in radio, television, data and digital cinema. IDC offers a broad portfolio of advanced solutions including Pro Audio, Pro Video, Pro Cinema, and Pro Data for implementing broadcast content contribution and distribution applications. IDC’s products and solutions are in demand for radio and television networks, digital cinema, 3D live events, targeted ad insertion, satellite news gathering, sports contribution, VOD, and IPTV among others. IDC is head quartered in Ottawa, Canada, with regional offices in Arnhem, the Netherlands and in San Diego, California. IDC has installations in over 100 countries and service offices in Thailand and Singapore, with an international network of value-added partners and resellers.
In New Zealand  there are many commercial and non commercial radio stations that use IDC products to transit their program material from their broadcast studios to remote single or multiple transmitter sites and to capture and insert program material from outside providers, such as news bulletins, sports events, advertising and the likes.
This page is going to deal with the International Datacasting Corporation (IDC) SFX2100R (1U) Satellite Multimedia Appliance.
The SFX2100 is found in IDC's Superflex, FlexRoute IP Pro Audio Suite For Professional Radio Broadcast Networks, publication. Although the SFX2100 does not bear the words Pro Audio anywhere on it's casing or in it's specifications, it is listed under the heading of Pro Audio receivers (below), along with the SFX2100 Pro Audio which has some different hardware to the SFX2100. The SFX2100 also comes under the umbrella of the SFX Media Server Series, where its specs are given along with those of later version receivers.
In those receivers listed are the SR2000pro - SR for Satellite Receiver - 2000 for the model series and - pro for Professional Audio or could equally be for Program Audio.
The Pro or Pro Audio receivers have inbuilt audio decoders which output a Balanced Audio Signal from connectors on their rear panels, ready for insertion into the Broadcast Station's RF Exciter or RF Transmitter.
The Plus (suffix) receivers have unbalanced audio output.
The SFX (Store and Forward) receivers have Store and Forward capabilities and have built in Hard Disk Drives to store received data, digitized files (audio files, program information, web content and associated data) and use it as a Multimedia Server Appliance using Datacast XD to provide content on demand to multiple users via the LAN. The SFX receivers do not have built in audio decoders unless the model number is suffixed with Pro or Pro Audio.
The X in the SFX (prefix) refers to the Datacast XD Host, which is IDC's Content Management and Distribution system, made up of core software components with optional add on modules. The integrated modules combine to implement highly reliable Store and Forward file transfer systems and streaming for radio networks.
The suffix letter (after the 2100) represents the following;
B = DVB CI CAS with Common Interface for CAM, QPSK / BPSK
 F = IDC FlexKey, with 128bit AES
 M = 8PSK /16QAM
 MB = QPSK / 8PSK / 16QAM / DVB CI CAS
 MR = QPSK / 8PSK / 16QAM / Irdeto Cyphercast IP CAS or Gigacrypt with Smart Card
 R = Irdeto Cyphercast IP CAS or Gigacrypt with Smart Card, QPSK / BPSK
The identifier in brackets represents the following;
(1U) or (1RU) = single Rack Unit Size - single height
 (2U) or (2RU) = double Rack Unit Size - double height
Other receivers are referred to here as the SFX2100 shares its specifications with other receivers in the 2100 series.
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Pro Audio receivers – adaptable, interoperable, interchangeable

IDC’s Pro Audio Suite includes a complete family of DVB satellite receivers designed specifically for the implementation of virtually any digital audio broadcast application. Select one product for a traditional network replacement or mix and match to meet specific needs.


SR2000pro – ideal for professional radio networks requiring the highest quality live streaming audio. Comes complete with dual stereo or quad mono balanced audio outputs, digital output relay closures, an Ethernet port for IP LAN connectivity and an Async RS-232 serial interface for legacy networks. Includes a front panel LCD display for setup and monitoring and a standard 1RU high 19-inch rack mountable form factor.


SFX2100 – ideal for hybrid Store and Forward with live streaming to a local LAN. Comes complete with a highly reliable hard drive and a full suite of embedded software, including the Datacast XD client for files and streams, an Apache Web Server, Samba file sharing, and playlist – driven multimedia players. Live and recorded audio and video available via unbalanced analogue outputs and also as IP multicast on either or both Ethernet ports. Async RS-232 and Sync RS-422 interfaces are provided for legacy networks. Comes in standard 1RU high desktop and 19-inch rack mountable form factor.


SFX2100 Pro Audio – combines the best features of the SR2000pro and the SFX2100, providing both a Store & Forward and streaming solution in a single integrated unit. Comes complete with the same software suite as the SFX2100, including Datacast XD. It has two Ethernet ports, Sync and Async outputs, balanced analogue and digital outputs for audio and optional relay closures. Includes a front panel LCD display for setup and monitoring, and a standard 1RU high desktop and 19-inch rack mountable form factor.


SFX2000pro – combines a SR2000pro and the motherboard processor of the SFX2100 in a single integrated unit. The SR2000pro portion acts independently and is used as a live streaming receiver but also provides multimedia content to the processor via its Ethernet port – allowing users to load their own operating systems and application software on the processor for customized applications. Comes in standard 1RU high desktop and 19-inch rack mountable form factor.

       SR2000plus – ideal for live streaming audio, for background music and IP edge receiver applications – including live streaming to a LAN. Comes with unbalanced audio outputs (dual stereo or quad mono), an Ethernet port for IP LAN connectivity and an Async RS-232 serial interface for legacy networks. This compact and easy-to-install design, includes a front panel LCD display for setup and monitoring and comes in a standard 1RU high desktop form factor with two units that fit side by side in a standard 19-inch rack.

Select the right receiver for your application

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Below is the IDC publication outling the SFX2100 Series DVB Satellite Multimedia Appliance.




the reliable multimedia server appliance that takes your network beyond the edge
Use the SFX2100 in applications that call for a satellite receiver with the power of a router, a hard drive, and content distribution software. The SFX integrates all of these features into a self-contained package loaded with powerful software tools. It’s ideal for kiosks and networks of every size.
web servers

caching servers

media-on-demand servers

file servers

digital cinema servers
                                   computer-based
                                    training servers
                                inventory management
                                       servers

                                    point-of-sale servers

radio/news/weather/
financial news servers

in-store advertising

kiosks




The SFX2100 series of satellite multimedia server appliances offers the reliability, network connectivity and functionality of IDC’s SRA2100 series of satellite router appliances combined with the read/write storage of an integrated hard drive and Datacast XD, the latest state-of-the-art multimedia content distribution software.

The SFX has all of the features of the SRA2100 series—Linux OS, integrated CAS encryption, router functionality, browser-based GUI, IDC’s NetManager network management & control system, ASI output, BPSK/QPSK/8PSK/16QAM operation—plus the following advanced features:

• Integrated hard drive: A 40Gbyte hard drive (80Gbyte optional) comes built-in to
the SFX. It provides for store-and-forward data storage plus enables the addition
of a full suite of standard software modules as well as customer-specific applications.

• Apache Web Server: The standard “work horse” industry standard web server
comes pre-loaded and preconfigured so that the SFX becomes a satellite-fed web
server on your network.

• XD Enterprise Client: Our Datacast XD Enterprise Client is included in the SFX for
multimedia file transfer, streaming and content distribution including meta-data
presentation.

• Multimedia Player is preloaded, turning the SFX into a multimedia jukebox, that
can play stored audio and/or video files in
all major formats (e.g., AVI, MPEG, MP3,
etc.) Output to a TV and/or SVGA monitor.

• Optional PCI MPEG Accelerator
Card—independent of the built-in
Multimedia Player with its own
playlist, plus it handles live streams
(MPEG 1,2, and 4). It’s like having a
DVB DTH receiver built-in!

(Above right: an SFX in player mode cycling through
videos output to computer monitor and television.
Right: screens hot of browser interface in browser
mode.)

TWO CONFIGURATIONS, TWO MODES,
OR DESIGN YOUR OWN:

The SFX series appliances come in a range of standard configurations including: Kiosk/SOHO and LAN/Network and they are
designed to be easily customized to client-specific requirements.

Upon powering up, the SFX2100 can be configured to automatically launch into player mode—cycling through an up-datable playlist, or browser mode—which provides access via web browser to the content on the hard drive (video, audio, web pages, any multimedia content) as well as configuration and control features. Both modes are, of course, customizable for customer- specific applications.



The architecture of the SFX2100 series is highly
flexible allowing it to be configured for a wide variety
of standard and custom applications. Industry standard
connectors are provided for ease of interface
to other equipment and sub-systems. In addition
to IP network connectivity, the SFX 2100 series
includes sync, async and terminal interfaces for
easy migration from serial protocol legacy satellite
networks.

Clients for Datacast XD™, ID’s content distribution
software, are included in all SFX standard models.
(See Datacast XD data sheets for details.)

The SFX2100 family architecture has been designed
to be DVB-RCS ready.
SFX as a satellite receiver is available with the same
models as our SRA2100 satellite router appliance:

SFX2100 R, B = BPSK/QPSK
SFX2100 MR, MB = BPSK/QPSK/8PSK/16QAM
R = IP CAS, B = DVB CI CAS

All models come with ASI output and other options.





International headquarters:
2680 Queensview Drive | Ottawa, Ontario CANADA K2B 8H6
tel: 613-596-4120 | fax: 613-596-4863
www.intldata.ca | email: sales@intldata.ca
All specifications subject to change
Printed in Canada. September, 2003.

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Below is the IDC publication giving the specifications for the SFX Media Server Series.


S U P E R F L E X

The IDC SUPERFLEX family of products — true end-to-end solutions for the distribution of broadband multimedia content via satellite

H E A D E N D      I      R E C E I V E R S      I      M A N A G E M E N T & C O N T R O L      I      C O N T E N T   D I S T R I B U T I O N

S F X MEDIA SERVER SERIES
DVB/IP DIGITAL MEDIA RECEIVER/DECODER

                                           

The SFX Media Server series of satellite receiver/decoders are DVB-S/DVB-S2 compliant and designed to receive and decode both live and/or file-based programming. The receivers provide the power and flexibility required to address the demanding requirements of multimedia applications in large and small networks where cost-effective digital interconnectivity is very important. Several decryption options are available to protect the content.

SFX Media Server series includes:

Managed Content Playback
Video, audio and image based files can be managed remotely and/or locally to seamlessly transition programming between live and stored content. This allows the content provider to distribute a unique mix of programming on a per client basis. Live and stored content can be played locally and also streamed to multiple downstream clients on an independent playlist basis.

On Demand Programming
Live and stored programming can be accessible on demand by selecting the desired programming on a virtual channel guide. This is ideal for distance learning/training networks.

Video and Audio Decoding
Video and audio codecs are included for MPEG4, MPEG2, MPEG Layer II & III, AAC and more to ensure high performance.

Wide Variety of Inputs
L-band DVB-S or DVB-S2 with IP transport and IP-on-ethernet input interfaces ensure ease of interfacing.

Flexible Configurations
Choose from DVB-S or DVB-S2. The several versions of receivers offer symbol rates as low as 100ks/s and as high as 45Ms/s. For details see the table on the reverse.

Datacast XD Included
The Datacast XD Content Distribution and Management software client is included inside every receiver/decoder to facilitate the downloading of files.

Conditional Access to Protect Content
A good security strategy utilizes multiple layers of protection. The SFX Media Server receivers include multiple options for security. Decryption capabilities are included in every receiver to ensure the security of the content. Datacast XD is used to secure IP streams and file based content. FlexKey can secure the transport stream. Irdeto’s IP security system Gigacrypt can secure the IP streams.

Applications:

• Digital signage

• Distance learning

• On-demand programming

• Streaming media

Features:

• DVB-S, DVB-S2

• MPEG2 and MPEG4 video

• Local content insertion

• Time scheduled programming

• Event scheduled programming

• Playlist support

• Still image playback

• HDD for content storage and
playout

• Datacast XD included

• NetManager addressable
• Up to 250 PIDs

• Apache Web Server

• VOD server

• Local multicast stream
generation

• Optional hardrive video decoder






VIDEO/AUDIO CAPABILITIES

Video Decoder:                             MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (up to 2.5 Mb/s)
                                                      MPEG-2 MP@HL (up to 6 Mb/s)
Audio Decoder:                             MPEG-4 High Efficiency AAC
                                                      MPEG-4 AAC-LC
                                                      MPEG Layer II and III
Still Image Decoder:                     JPEG, PNG, GIF
Video Outputs:                              Composite (NTSC or Pal)
                                                      VGA
Audio Output:                                Analog Stereo
Inputs:                                           Satellite
                                                      IP on LAN
Playlists:                                       1 Local Video/Audio playback
                                                      4 Streams Forwarded

RF INPUT

Frequency Range:                       950 to 2150 MHz
Frequency Tuning Steps:            Synthesized 1 Hz steps
AFC Range (drift tracking):         ±2 MHz maximum
Maximum Input Level:                 -35 to 65 dBm
Connector:                                  Type-F, female
Impedance:                                 75 ohms, unbalanced
LNB DC Power:                          +18 VDC maximum (horizontal
                                                    polarity), or +13 VDC at 500 mA
                                                    (vertical polarity) center conductor
                                                    positive, short circuit protected.
LNB Requirement:                      DRO type for high data rates,
                                                    stability ±2 MHz maximum
                                                    PLL type for low data rates, stability
                                                         ±25 kHz maximum

DVB-S MODE

Symbol Rate:                               See table
FEC Type:                                    DVB concatenated, Viterbi Reed-
                                                     Solomon Viterbi
                                                     Reed-Solomon 204/188
Modulation:                                   QPSK 1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8
Alpha Factor:                                0.35

DVB-S2 MODE

Symbol Rate:                               See table
FEC Type:                                    concatenated, LDPC & BCH
Modulation:                                   QPSK 1/2, 3/5, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/6, 8/9, 9/10
                                                     8PSK 3/5, 2/3, 3/4, 5/6, 8/9, 9/10
                                                     16APSK 2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/6, 8/9, 9/10
Alpha Factor:                                0.20, 0.25, 0.35

FRONT PANEL INDICATORS

LCD display:                                 Provides metrics and setup menus
Lock LED:                                     Indicates locked or unlocked status
                                                      of RF demodulator
Status LED:                                  Indicates normal operation or fault
                                                      and status of LNB
Control LED:                                 Indicates authorization and data
                                                      activity of the NetManager control
                                                      channel and the ASYNC port

REAR PANEL CONNECTORS / INDICATORS

2 Net Ports
Connector Type:                         RJ-45 Ethernet
Electrical Interface:                     one 10/100/1000 Base-T
                                                    and one 10/100 Base-T
IP Data:                                       Greater than 80 Mb/s output
                                                    (Configuration dependent)
Async Port/Terminal Port            IGMP, SNMP and ICMP
Connector Type:                         DE-9S
Electrical Interface:                     RS-232
Asynchronous Rate:                   Terminal Interface at 9.6 kb/s
                                                    or data at 300 b/s to 115.2 kb/s

POWER REQUIREMENTS

Supply Voltage:                           100 to 240 VAC, +6%, -10%, 50 or 60 Hz
Power Consumption:                  40 Watts maximum

PHYSICAL PARAMETERS

Chassis:                                    1U rackmount (Desktop kit
                                                   available)
Dimensions:                              1.75 in H x 19 in W x 8.5 in D
                                                   (4.4 cm H x 21.5 cm W x 22 cm D)
Weight:                                       Less than 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg)

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Operating Temperature:               0 °C to +50 °C
Storage Temperature:                   -20 °C to +70 °C
Humidity:                                       Maximum 90% relative,
                                                      non-condensing







International Headquarters:
2680 Queensview Drive | Ottawa, Ontario CANADA K2B 8H6
T 613-596-4120 F 613-596-4863 E sales@intldata.ca www.intldata.ca
All specifications subject to change. Printed in Canada. 04/07.

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Below are the SFX2100 Series Specifications as taken from the full user manual.











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Below are photographs of the internals of the SFX2100R (1U)

SFX2100 Inside

The picture above shows the Satellite receiver board top left, the Formosa computer motherboard top centre, the power supply top right and the Hard Disk Drive in lower part of picture.

SFX2100 Satellite Board

The picture above shows the SFX2100 Satellite Receiver Board. Three cables connect to the board, 1 for power supply, 1 for front panel LEDs and 1 FDD cable.


SFX2100 Motherboard


The picture above shows the motherboard that controls the SFX2100 satellite receiver. It is a Formosa MBM-865VA, socket 370 running an Intel Celeron 1000/128/100/1.75v CPU which is 1GHz processor speed, 100MHz Bus speed and 10x Clock Multiplier. It has 1 piece of SD RAM which is 256 MB PC133.The IDE cable is permanently attached at the motherboard and has the usual connector plug at the HDD end. The FDD port is the interface with the Satellite Receiver board.

SFX2100 Power Supply

The above picture shows the Sparkle Power Int'l power supply that powers all the components of the SFX2100 Satellite Multimedia Appliance. Note it has cooling fans at each end and also the enclosure cooling fan can be partially seen at top right.


SFX HDD

The above picture is of the SFX2100R Hard Disk Drive. This machine must have had an upgrade, as instead of the 40GB or 80GB HDD that is quoted in the specs, this one is 120GB. The HDD contains the Linux Red Hat Operating system and the IDC Proprietary software.

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The pdf of the full FlexRoute IP Pro Audio Suite document is here  (437 Kb)

The pdf of the the SuperFlex SFX2100 Series DVB Satellite Multimedia Server Appliance is here  (715 Kb)

The pdf of the SFX Media Server Series DVB / IP Digital Media Receiver Decoder is here  (210 Kb)

The pdf of the SFX2100 Series Quick Start Guide is here  (863Kb)

The pdf of the full User,s Guide for the SRA / SFX2100 Series Satellite Receiver Appliance is here  (15.825 MB)

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Defeating The Passwords;

As radio stations and networks upgrade their IDC equipment to newer models, there are numbers of these older receivers becoming available second hand. Often they are sold by surplus equipment dealers who have no connection to the stations or networks that the receivers operated in and so do not know the passwords that have been set in the machines. Often these receivers have been in service till the day they are switched off and new equipment installed. The previous users have no interest in returning the passwords to factory default and neither do they provide the passwords with the used receivers. As a consequence the new owner is left to their own devices to defeat the passwords that have been set.

The IDC machines have two levels of passwords, monitor and admin. When logged into the receiver's setup as "monitor", activity is restricted to viewing settings only and does not allow changing of any settings. To change settings it is required to be logged in as "admin". As a consequence, the "monitor" login may only use a low strength of passwood or may use only the default password, but the "admin login" may have been set to a higher strength password. Without being logged in as "admin" it is not possible to view or edit flis on the Hard Drive.

One method of defeating the passwords is described here although there may be other ways also. This method relies on being able to successfully log into the SFX Cockpit as username "monitor" by trialling different passwords to determine if one allows login. In this one case  usr  was the password. Other suggestions could be - monitor, user, login, abc, abcd, abcde - etc Once you are successful in logging in as "monitor" make a note of the password that allowed you access, try the password to see if it allows login as "admin" also, if not, try easily guessed passwords, and if no success, then the following procedure can be carried out.

The Hard Disk Drive must be removed from the IDC machine so it can be connected to another computer as a secondary drive or connected via a USB port using a IDE to USB adapter. In this case a Digitech XC4833 USB2.0 To IDE+SATA Adapter was used. If using a computer running a Linux operating system, you have immediate access to files on the hard drive. If you have a computer running Windows, because Windows can not read Linux files, you must install a programme that enables the viewing and editing of Linux files. In this case, a program called DiskInternals Linux Reader 1.6.4.0
Once this program is installed and run on the Windows computer, the SFX Linux based Hard Drive will be visible in the list of Drives.

Double click the SFX Hard Drive icon in order to see the folders. Double click the "etc" folder in order to see the files within.
Click on the "shadow-" file to highlight it then choose "save as" and change the name of the file to "shadow-old" and save. This gives you a copy of the file in case you do something not intended to the file while changing it. Now double click on the "shadow-" file to open it for editing. Go to the bottom of the lines where you will find four lines beginning by admin:, monitor:, user:, and xd: each followed by a string of numbers and letters which are the encoded password strings. On the admin line, select all the encoded string after the : (colon) and delete it. On the monitor line, select all the encoded string after the : (colon) and copy and paste it into the admin line. This action has effectively made the "admin" password the same as the "monitor" password. Save the file and close it.

Now click the "shadow" file and save as "shadowold".
Now double click the "shadow" file and repeat the process as decribed above.

Now scroll up to find the "webmin" folder and double click to open it. Double click on the "miniserve.users" file to open it for editing. You will see lines beginning monitor:, root: and admin: . These may be repeated and be monitor:monitor:, root:root: and admin:admin: followed by the encoded password strings. Repeat the process as described above for the "admin" and "monitor lines, making the selections of the encoded password strings after the second : (colon) if that is found to be the case.
Save and close this file.
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The following changes can also be made.

Click on the "matrix.acl" file and save as "matrixold.acl".
Now double click the "matrix.acl" file to open it for editing. You will see four lines, monitor:, admin:, root: and user: followed by long lines of permissions for actions that can be performed when logged in under each username. On the admin: line, select everything after the : (colon) and delete it. On the monitor: line, select everything after the : (colon) and copy and paste it to the admin: line. This action has effectively made the "admin" permissions the same as the "monitor" permissions. Save the file and close it.

Now click on the "webmin.acl" file and save as "webminold.acl".
Now double click the "webmin.acl" file and repeat the process as described above.

This completes the processes and the SFX drive can be exited, removed from the computer and re-installed in the SFX machine.
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Note: It was not trialled as to the response of the login process if the encoded password string should be totally removed from the files. Supposedly leaving no password entered.

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