PRISM Connect Installer

The PRISM Connect Installer sets up PRISM Connect, a tool designed to provide video streaming setup on Windows using the ffplay utility. This installation package includes batch files and the ffplay.exe that allow you to easily start and stop video H264 streams from a specified source IP address.

Installation Steps

Run the installer: to install necessary components at:
```
C:\Users\Public\Documents\PRISM_Connect
```
Set the IP address: as needed in each included batch file to match the IP addresses of the hardware streaming devices also being installed (e.g., Zowiebox). Additionally, adjust the top-left starting position of the window and its width and height.
```
   set "left=200"
   set "top=100"
   set "width=1520"
   set "height=855"
   set "source_ip=10.24.0.176"
   set "port=8554"
   set "stream_path=main/av"
```
Make shortcuts to these batch files once edited for the site specifics. Or connect to these batch files using the Hotkeys configuration utility.
Zowiebox will work right out of the the box if you plug it into a wired DHCP network and provide it power. It will report its IP address on the blue LCD screen. See PRISM Connect Wired for more information.

Note

A single source can be displayed at multiple different locations simultaneously by setting the source_ip to the same value from several batch files.

Installed Files

Here’s an overview of each file installed and its purpose:

prism_stream_center.bat
prism_stream_right.bat
prism_stream_left.bat

Launches a video stream using ffplay.exe in a specified window position and size, configured to stream from a predefined IP address and port.

How It Works: Sets the stream’s window location, dimensions, and source, then opens ffplay in a minimized, borderless, and always-on-top mode.
Usage: Run this file to start the video stream centered on your screen as specified in the script.

prism_stream_kill.bat

Stops the streaming session initiated by prism_stream_center.bat.

How It Works: Uses the taskkill command to close the ffplay session based on the stream’s window title.
Usage: Run this file to close the streaming window when you’re finished.

ffplay.exe

ffplay.exe is an executable from the FFmpeg suite, used here to play RTSP streams.

Usage: Triggered by prism_stream_center.bat to play the stream. Users typically do not need to run this file directly.

Running a Stream

To start a video stream:

Double-click prism_stream_center.bat in the PRISM Connect folder. The video will display in a window positioned according to the script settings.

To end the stream:

Double-click prism_stream_kill.bat, which will close the streaming window.

Tip

Be aware that after running a batch file to launch a stream, it may take up to 5 seconds for the stream to initiate and the image to appear on the projection theater screens. While the stream is displayed, it is normal for hidden console windows to be visible when ALT-TAB between applications.

Troubleshooting

Stream Not Starting:
Ensure that the IP address and port in prism_stream_center.bat are correct and accessible. The IP address is displayed on the Zowiebox LCD screen. Unless the default settings have been changed, the Zowiebox should be server from port 8554 at location main/av.
Stream Not Stopping:
If the stream doesn’t close after running prism_stream_kill.bat, verify the window title in the script matches the actual stream title displayed.