Quick start

After you've unpacked your Pearl-2, you're ready to get started. This quick start uses the default settings where possible so you can quickly start using your Pearl-2.

Before you begin, make sure you have:

  • A video source such as a camera or computer and cables to connect them to the Pearl-2. For HDMI, the video source must not be HDCP protected.
  •  An audio source coming from either your SDI or HDMI video source (must not be encrypted). Optionally, audio from a different source such as an audio mixer that you connect to the audio input ports can be used.
    • The Pearl-2 can use USB for video input.
  • Local area network that uses Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is preferable.
  • Computer with a web browser connected to the same network. We'll call it the “admin” computer.
  • Ethernet cables to connect the Pearl-2 and the admin computer to the network.

Your Pearl-2 comes shipped with an AC/DC power adapter and a registration card that contains brief instructions to connect the Pearl-2 to the network and log in to the Admin panel. The instructions in this quick start provide more details.

Start up the Pearl-2 for the first time

  1. Turn on your camera or video source and connect the output to the back panel of the Pearl-2.

  2. Connect the Ethernet cable to the Pearl-2 and to your network.

  3. Attach the power cable and plug it into a power source.
  4. Turn on the system:
    • Pearl-2 - power button is on the front of the unit. Wait for the power-up cycle to complete. The Grid view showing both channels appears on the touch screen. The video source you connected to the "A" row appears in the Auto A channel, and the video source connected to the "B" row appears in the Auto B channel.
  5. (Optional) Plug headphones into the 3.5 mm headphone jack at the front of the Pearl device to monitor the video signal's embedded audio. For more about monitoring audio, see Monitoring audio.

  6. (Optional) Start recording:

    1. Pearl Mini or Pearl-2 - tap the red dot that appears in the top right corner of the screen to start and stop recording the channel. The dot flashes while recording.