How do I install and configure client software on my workstation?

SL NEO servers are usually not managed from the server console itself, but from network client PCs. Correspondingly, the client machine should have the SL NEO platform client management software installed.

You should not use the remote desktop to control the server, because this technology does not provide multiuser work, necessary interactivity, quality video display and sound playback in the GUI of control applications.

The installation exe-file of the SL NEO media platform for the client station is supplied on CD/DVD/Flash media or downloaded from the Internet. The file contains a complete set of server, client software and all necessary codecs.

Before starting the client software installation make sure there is a network connection between the server platform and the client PC. There is no need to install any additional codecs into the system - everything you need is contained in the single installation file of the SL NEO platform software. SkyLark SL NEO client software was tested on Windows 7 32/64-bit - it is recommended to use this OS version, otherwise the stable operation of client applications is not guaranteed.

The order of actions is as follows:

• Disable UAC, reboot the machine.
• Make sure the current user has administrator rights and registry entries are allowed.
• Check and install the latest motherboard drivers, update Bios if necessary.
• Install Windows updates.
• Configure Windows power mode - high performance, check mode settings, disable disks and display.
• In the network adapter properties - disable power saving.
• Support Center - disable all messages.
• Msconfig - remove unnecessary things from autostart, disable services - firewall, update center, windows search. Reboot machine.
• Disable automatic time synchronization via Internet (in Windows date and time settings menu).
• Using the user profile with administrator rights, install the SL NEO software package, go through the installation wizard, or manually configure the applications Air Manager, News Cut, Multiscreen.
• After finishing the settings - check the connection of the client software with the server, close and restart the client software, make sure that its settings are saved after the reboot.
• Make sure that the video in the client applications is displayed correctly in all windows, in case of problems - change the display technology. To learn how to do this, see here (settings menu - Preview Parameters window, Preview Parameters window, Display engine item).
• When the installation is finished, save the configuration of the SL NEO client software. How to save the settings, see here.
• The system requirements for the PC to install the software can be found here.

When the installation is complete, icons will appear on the client station desktop:

• SL NEO Media Server - icons for starting and stopping the server software.
• Transfer Manager - software module for automatic transfer of media files. On the client station this software is not needed and the corresponding icons can be removed from the desktop.
• Air Manager - the main client application for managing server functions.
• Multiscreen - network control multi-screen for input and output signals of SL NEO servers.
• News Cut - client application for non-linear editing.
• Let's take a closer look at the procedure of configuring Air Manager to connect to the server.
• and others.

You should perform the setup with administrator privileges. If this is the first time you are running Air Manager on this machine, you will be prompted to configure the basic components of the application to connect to the server. The wizard will offer to connect Air Manager with services of one or more SL NEO servers.

The first step is to connect to the clip server database. To add a new server, to the database of which you want to connect, use the Add button.

A separate window invites you to enter the Name and the IP address and select the type and the serial number of the database service you are going to connect to. In theName field, specify the name of the database (for example, MEDIA1, SRV1, SRV2).

In the Type field, select the storage type - either the server OS file folder or the database service of the SL NEO server. The Address field specifies the IP address of the server. The Service field specifies the serial number of the database service, to which the connection is being organized. If only one database is configured on the server, the service number is 1 (by default). The User and Password fields should be left blank if no database access rights are configured.

The next step is to configure Air Manager connections to record services. If there are no recording channels on the server, you can skip this step, if there are any, you should set the parameters of Air Manager connections to SL NEO File Recorder server modules in the next window.

The Add button creates a new connection. Specify the service name in the Name field (for example, REC1, REC2). The Address field specifies the IP address of the server to which the connection is made. The Service field is the serial number of the service. The entry fields are available for editing by double-clicking.

The next step is to configure Air Manager connections with playout services. In the next window you need to set the parameters of Air Manager connections to the corresponding modules of SL NEO Program Player.

The Add button creates a new connection. In the Name field specify the service name (for example, PGM1, PGM2). The Address field specifies the IP address of the server to which the connection is made. The Service field indicates the serial number of the service.

The final step is to configure Air Manager connections to the VTR control service for tape recording (if VTR is present in the system). The Address field specifies the IP address of the PC where the device management service is running and VTR control is configured. The Service field specifies the service number (1 by default).

We do not support playback directly from the tapes due to irrelevance of this technology.

After going through all the configuration steps, the Air Manager application is launched. With properly configured connections and working server, the main work area of Air Manager will display rec- and playlist windows according to the settings made. The Media Browser window should display the server's database folder tree with clips, and when you click on a clip, it should be displayed in the File Monitor window.

If the server software was started after the Air Manager was launched, the File/Reconnect command in the Air Manager menu should be executed.

The settings made later, at any time, can be changed in the Air Manager configuration menu (File/Configure menu). All settings will be automatically saved when the Air Manager is shut down.

After the session is ended, Air Manager saves all the current settings and the location of windows in the Windows registry. You should take this into account when setting rights in the OS for users working with the SL NEO client software.

You can get the detailed information about all features of the client software by carefully reading the corresponding descriptions on this site. If you have any questions, please contact the support service. Our specialists will help with the settings and via remote access. If your network is not connected to the Internet, you can use an Internet modem and the Team Viewer software.

Licensing keys are required for the Air Manager and News Cut client software versions 1.5 and above. One SL NEO server includes a license for one network client workstation with the full software, additional client workstations require a license, without a license, in the GUI of each application every 10 minutes you will see a window that says “DEMO MODE”, the duration of imported files is limited to 8 minutes.

After installing the SL NEO client software, the Machine Code is automatically generated, which is linked to the hardware components of the network client station (PC). The Machine Code is displayed in the Help menu of the Air Manager and News Cut applications. To obtain the activation key for the client station software, you need to send us the machine code (Machine Code) of the client station. After all the necessary formalities are settled, we will send you a file with the key-license.

Then you must enter file with key received from us. You should copy received license.lic file to folder C:\Program Files\SL NEO Media Platform\run or C:\Program Files (x86)\SL NEO Media Platform of client station.

Please note that reinstalling the system disk and operating system may cause the machine code to change, and the existing license on the client PC will become invalid. Contact us immediately if these situations arise.