Quick start

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

Before you begin, make sure you have:

  • A video source such as a camera or computer and cables to connect them to the Pearl Nano. 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 Nano can use the USB input for audio 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 Nano and the admin computer to the network.
  • To record video using Pearl Nano, you need to install a storage medium. Pearl Nano 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 Nano also has a SATA M.2 2280 SSD storage expansion slot that's accessible from the underside.

Your Pearl Nano comes shipped with an AC/DC power adapter and a registration card that contains brief instructions to connect the Pearl Nano 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 Nano for the first time

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

  2. Connect the Ethernet cable to the Pearl Nano and to your network. Pearl Nano can power up using the power from the Ethernet cable if your network supports PoE+ power. If you are using PoE+ power with a Pearl Nano, you can skip the next step.

  3. Attach the power cable and plug it into a power source.

    4. If you are using a Pearl Nano and your network supplies PoE+ power, then you can skip this step.

  4. Turn on the system:
    • Pearl Nano - will automatically turn on when connected to power. Wait for the power-up cycle to complete and the Auto channel to appear on the front screen. If your video source has a signal, the video displays on the front screen. If you don't see the Auto channel displayed on the front screen, press the left arrow key on the control key interface to cycle through the different views.
  5. (Required for recording on Pearl Nano) Install and format a storage solution. For more information, see Install and format an SD card for the Pearl Nano orInstall and format a SATA M.2 2280 SSD for Pearl Nano.
  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 Nano - press the Record key on the front panel to start and stop recording the channel.

    Recordings are saved to the SD card on Pearl Nano 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.