Quick start

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

Before you begin, make sure you have:

  • A video source such as a camera or computer and cables to connect them to the Pearl Mini. 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 Mini 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 Mini and the admin computer to the network.
  • To record video using Pearl Mini, you need to install a storage medium. Pearl Mini has a standard SD card slot on the front panel that you can use.
    • We recommend an SD card that is at least a class 10 with up to 512 GB of capacity.
    • Pearl Mini (bought after June 1st 2024) also has a SATA M.2 2280 SSD storage expansion slot that's accessible from the underside.

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

Start up the Pearl Mini for the first time

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

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

  3. Attach the power cable and plug it into a power source.
  4. Turn on the system:
    • Pearl Mini - power button is on the back 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 HDMI-A port appears in channel HDMI-A, and the video source connected to the HDMI-B port appears in channel HDMI-B.
  5. (Required for recording on Pearl Mini) Install and format a storage solution. For more information, see Install and format an SD card for the Pearl Mini orInstall and format a SATA M.2 2280 SSD for Pearl Mini.
  6. (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.

  7. (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.

    Recordings are saved to the SD card on Pearl Mini by default. When the SD card is full, new recordings overwrite the oldest recordings. Do not eject the SD card while recording is in progress as that may corrupt the SD card.