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FAQ

Can we provide an IPTV solution on TV screens with Beesmart Lite?

YES, Beesmart Lite is intended to be used in the setups where you will provide interactive TV services on TV screen, using the STB devices that are listed in the STB section on the Beesmart Lite web page.

With how many subscribers Beesmart Lite can be used?

Beesmart Lite is a free IPTV middleware with a free license for 500 IPTV subscribers. When you exceed this number, Beesmart Lite can be extended to Beesmart Pro version. Please contact us at info@beenius.tv for extending the Beesmart Lite.

What happens when I reach 500 licenses?

Beesmart Lite can be used for up to 500 IPTV subscribers. When you reach the 500 IPTV subscribers limit, you can easily upgrade your system to Beesmart and gain official support, additional attractive IPTV services, and middleware with no limitation for number of subscribers. Please contact us at info@beenius.tv.

Which features are included in the Beesmart Lite?

Beesmart Lite comes with basic features such as:

• Live TV
• VoD
• Settings
• Radio stations
• EPG
• Parental control
• Context sensitive help
• Picture in Picture
• Mosaic
• Search
• View bill
• Web Access
• Content packaging/bundling system
• System Management Module
• Open API

If you would like to check out all advanced features that Beesmart supports, you can go to Beesmart Demo system or upgrade to the Beesmart Pro. Please contact us at info@beenius.tv.

Beesmart Lite works great, but I would like to test also all other advanced features that Beesmart supports?

It is true that Beesmart Lite provides basic IPTV features. If you would like to check out all advanced features that Beesmart supports, you can go to Beesmart Demo system or upgrade to the Beesmart Pro. Please contact us at info@beenius.tv. Please note that upgrade from the Beesmart Lite to the Beesmart Demo is not possible. All data and configuration will be lost, but Beesmart Demo comes with the automatic installation and already prepared configuration, so it will enable you to immediately start testing with few users and STB devices.

We successfully tested Beesmart Lite. It works just great and we have reached the limit of 500 users. Can we upgrade the Beesmart Lite to the Beesmart Pro without loosing any data?

Yes, you can upgrade without loosing any data. Please note that Beesmart Lite comes with 32 bit Centos OS, while recommended OS for the production system is 64 bit RHEL 5.3. Because of this, system should be reinstalled using automatic installation for the Beesmart production system. Before starting new installation, you dump the Beesmart Lite DB, then install the new system. During the automatic installation you are asked to provide DB dump, which is then inserted automatically in the DB, and your data is preserved. For the end you only need to upgrade the DB to the latest Beesmart Professional release using provided SQL script. Please note that HW used for the Beesmart Lite should fulfill minimum requirements for the Beesmart Pro in order to use it. Otherwise you will need to provide new HW for the installation. Please contact us at info@beenius.tv for commercial part of the upgrade.

What STBs models can run with Beesmart Lite?

Beesmart is compatible with many different STB vendors. On the Beesmart Lite 3.0 following STB devices are supported:

• Airties Air 7120
• Albis SceneGate 8000
• Amino A140
• Hubtech HTI-9800HDR
• Motorola VIP 1003
• Technotrend TT-micro IP830
• Vestel IP7350
• Zyxel STB-2101H
• Zenterio STC-Zi3040
• Ekioh PC client

Please check the STB section to get information how and where you can get STB samples and appropriate SW for each STB vendor.

Can I use some other STB that is not on the list of currently supported STBs?

In theory Beesmart Lite can run on any STB that supports Ekioh’s SVG engine. If your STB does not support Ekioh SVG engine but you would like to do so, please contact your STB vendor or Ekioh for further information ( http://www.ekioh.com/). However for successful operation, middleware needs to understand remote keys that STB is using. If STB is not supported on the Beesmart Lite it means that some STB specific key codes might not work or some other features might have issues. Only Beesmart certified STB devices are 100% tested.

There are many head-ends, CAS and VOD servers that need to be integrated to have complete IPTV system. Are these services provided by Beesmart?

For Beesmart Lite we do assume that customers will make a configuration of it by themselves and this can easily be done by using Administration guide that is available at the same site as Beesmart Lite application. Basically any VOD server using standards RTSP should work with Beesmart Lite, and we have experiences with Edgeware, Espial/Kasenna, Anevia and Bitband. Once you have a project of 500 customers in gated community then you should use Beesmart Professional and with this version you may order also professional services of the configuration and integration.

What VOD servers are supported with Beesmart Lite?

Beesmart officially supports Espial MediaBase VoD, Anevia VoD, Edgeware VoD and Bitband VoD servers. Beesmart Lite can be used also with any other VOD server that supports RTSP streaming, for VoD play outs only. You must make sure that the STB model, that you are using, understands the RTSP dialect of your preferred VOD server. In the admin, please make sure that you use the Edgeware Orbit type of the VoD server.

Does Beesmart Lite support VOD?

With Beesmart Lite you can prepare your own VOD library for your customers with unlimited number of movie. But Beesmart Lite package does not contain the VOD server itself. Select any of your preferred VOD servers and just configure Beesmart Lite to start using it.

How shoud I start with Beesmart Lite installation?

First download the SW package provided on the Beesmart Lite web page. Please make sure, using the provided MD5 hash, that package was correctly downloaded and burned on the DVD. Follow the documentation and instructions on the screen. Please make sure that you enter the »beesmart« text after you start the OS installation. If you don't see the first Beesmart window, asking you to insert text, than you are not running the correct SW package.

Once Beesmart Lite is successfully installed, please check that it works using the admin interface. Check Administration and User guide to see what you need to configure:

• Add devices with correct MAC addresses
• Add subscribers that will use the service.
• Add the Live Channels, subscriber packages, VoD servers and VoD content
• Install the STB with the correct SW that you got from the STB vendor
• Add the correct URL to the STB as the link to the MW
• Start the STB, you should see the Beesmart login screen

Which knowledge is required in order to successfully install the Beesmart Lite?

Recommended technical knowledge and competences for successful Beesmart Lite installation:

• good Linux knowledge
• good IP network knowledge
• experiences in IPTV field
• experiences with VoD systems and STB devices
• experiences with SW products and applications

How to check that OS installation was completed successfully?

First of all, please make sure that you use the provided ISO image with the included kick start file for the OS installation. Just after OS installation start, you should see screen with big Beenius logo, where you need to input »beesmart«. If you don't see that screen or you don't input »beesmart«, OS will not be installed using the required kick start and OS parameters will not be correct.

After OS installation is finished, you can check the following:

• Check the partitions of the system. There should be only the system partition prepared
• There should be at least 25 GB of free space on the system partition

Can I use existing, already installed Centos OS or install it manually without using the Beeemart Lite installation?

In theory yes, but it has to be installed according the Beesmart requirements. You can check the kick start file from the Beesmart Lite package and configure all OS parameters defined in the kick start to the same values. If you fail to do so, Beesmart Lite won't function properly. However, we still strongly recommend to use the automatic installation for the OS installation to avoid potential issues.

How to check that Beesmart Lite installation is completed successfully?

First of all, you should see the message: »Installation successfully completed, please reboot the server«. Make sure that you reboot the server and wait for about 5 minutes that all the processes are up. After that you can check that Beesmart Lite admin page (http://IP_address:85/omniplay/admin) can be opened. For a first test please test it using the Firefox web browser from the Beesmart Lite server to exclude the potential problems with the IP network. If yes, it means that installation was successful. If not use the bellow troubleshooting procedure:

• Check if the OS installation was completed correctly
• Check if the Apache server was installed correctly and that service is up and running
• Check if the Tomcat was installed correctly and that service is up and running
• Check if the Jboss was installed correctly and that service is up and running
• Check if the Oracle DB was installed correctly and that service is up and running

Once you figure out which part of the installation is missing or not working, please check the Beesmart Troubleshooting Guide for further assistance. If you can't find useful hints there, you can post an issue on the Beesmart Lite forum or check the forum to find answers on the similar issues. It might also be worth trying all the installation steps, including OS installation, once more from the start.

Is it possible to install Beesmart Lite on the virtual server e.g. VMware or Virtual Box?

Yes, in theory it is possible. However, using the virtual server for the Beesmart Lite installation might cause several failures due to some unrecognized HW components or different disk naming etc. It is hard to assure that automatic OS installation will cover all the different possible configurations. We have tested the Beesmart Lite installation with the VMWare player and the Virtual Box, however this can't cover all the possible scenarios.

If you are using VMware or Virtual Box and you are facing some issues, usually deeper Linux knowledge is required to solve these issues. Common mistakes are that disk is not recognized with the same names as it is defined in the automatic installation or that system partition is not created or that it doesn't have enough space available for the installation of all other components. Once you successfully install OS on the virtual server with the provided ISO, you shouldn't have any more problems with further installation.

If you are still facing issues with OS installation on the virtual server, please check the Beesmart Lite forum if there are any similar issues already answered. You can also post the issue description on the Beesmart Lite forum.

OS installation stops unexpectedly? I tried several times but it is always the same?

Please make sure that the Beesmart Lite installation bundle was downloaded successfully without any errors. Please check the MD5 hash that is provided on the Beesmart Lite web page.

I finished the OS installation and wanted to start the /home/beesmart /.BS-Lite.install script as stated in the installation instructions but this file is missing. What can I do?

You can check the Beesmart Lite installation bundle on you DVD and manually copy BS-Lite.install script in the /home/beesmart folder and start it. If the folder is also missing, you should create /home/beesmart.

Please note, that if BS-Lite.install script is missing, it can also mean that OS installation was not completed successfully. This might be due to some HW problems, or not using the correct kick start file, or beesmart user was not created. In this cases, even with copying script manually, script can't finish successfully because system partition is not big enough or some other OS parameters were not set during the OS installation. In these cases, it is recommended to install OS again with the provided installation bundle.

Is it possible to install VMWare player on the Linux system provided with Beesmart Lite?

Beesmart Lite is installed together with CentOS operating system. Users have a full access to the operating system, so any additional software package can be installed later on.

I have issues with the Beesmart Lite installation. What should I do?

Here are the general rules:

• Check that the Installation bundle was successfully transferred without any errors. Use the MD5 hash that is provided on the Beesmart Lite web page
• Check that you are using the latest Beesmart Lite SW version. In every version there are several installation improvements from the issues that are reported on he Beesmart Lite forum. It is highly recommended to always use the latest Beesmart Lite release.
• Check that you have the latest Beesmart Lite documentation and instructions
• Read carefully the FAQ section in order to find answers for similar issues as you are facing
• Check the Beesmart forum if there are similar issues reported and already answered
• Report your issue on the Beesmart Lite forum. We will try to instruct you what to do and potentially included fixes in the next Beesmart Lite release.

I'm successfully using Beesmart Lite, but now I need to change the network configuration. How can I change the IP address?

Please, don't change the IP address and other network configuration manually. IP address should be changed not only on the OS level, but also for several SW components. Please make sure that for changing IP address you use the script bs_config located in the /home/beesmart/scripts. You can run it with the ./bs_config. Check the instructions in the Beesmart Lite Installation Guide for the details.

How can I connect STB device to the Beesmart Lite server?

First, please make sure that STB is connected to the correct IP network and that it is accessible from the Beesmart Lite server. Please check the installation and configuration instructions from the specific STB vendor that you are using, where the procedure is explained in details. Please note, that procedure varies between different STB vendors, but in general it goes like this:

• Add STB to the Beesmart Lite admin following the instructions in the Administration Guide. Please make sure that you configure correct MAC address, correct STB type and also the correct remote control.
• Connect STB to the network
• STB should have the correct SW for the Beesmart Lite with Ekioh SVG engine support installed. If not already delivered with the correct SW, you should make the upgrade following the instructions provided by the STB vendor or reseller.
• STB should get the IP address from the DHCP server
• STB should get the DNS and NTP parameters either via DHCP options or it is configured manually (this may differ between different STB vendors)
• STB should get the correct Beesmart Lite URL address either via DHCP options or it is configured manually (this may differ between different STB vendors)
• There should be login screen on the TV. Log in using configured PIN for that user (default is 1234).
• In case you don't get to the login screen, please make sure that you exactly followed all the steps in the STB vendor instructions and that you configured the Beesmart Lite according to the Administration Guide.
• Check the Beesmart Lite forum if issue still present

Where should I get the proper SW and instructions for the STB devices?

You get the proper SW and all needed instructions from the STB vendor or reseller where you got the STB. Please check the STB section on the Beesmart Lite web page in order to get the sales and support contact for your preferred STB vendor. Procedure how to get the STB samples, proper SW, instructions and support defers between different STB vendors, but you have the contact on the Beesmart Lite web page, in the STB section, for every STB vendor supported on the Beesmart Lite platform.

Which SW should I install on my STB in order to work with Beesmart Lite? Which web browser should I use on the STB?

Beeemart Lite supports only the STB types listed in the STB section on the Beesmart Lite web page. Beesmart Lite is based on the Ekioh SVG engine, thus STB SW needs to support Ekioh SVG engine. Other browsers like Opera are not supported.

I see in the Beesmart Lite documentation that some descriptions are related to the IPTV services that I can't use or configure with the Beesmart Lite?

Beesmart Lite is provided with the basic features only. Beesmart Pro has many attractive features that are not part of the Beesmart Lite. It is possible that in the documentation some features or procedures are described that are possible only for the Beesmart Pro.

In the troubleshooting documentation Ekioh PC client is mentioned for checking the IPTV service without the STB. Where can I get this client?

Ekioh PC client is a STB emulator for the PC. It is not provided inside the Beesmart Lite installation, but you can ask for it the Ekioh directly on the info@ekioh.com.

I don't see the correct time on the TV? How can I solve this?

This is usually because of the incorrect time set on the STB. Please make sure that your STB got the correct time from the NTP server. If time is only a few hours different and date is correct, problem might be in incorrect time zone set on the NTP or STB. If date is several years in the past, this is usually the default STB date and it means that STB didn't get the time form the NTP server. You can check the following:

• Check the connectivity from STB to the NTP server,
• Check the availability of the NTP server
• Check that DHCP server sends NTP server address to the STB or that NTP is configured on the STB

I see some translations are missing. Instead of the translation I see only the translation key. There are also some translations I would like to change. How can I add my own translations?

Please check the Administration guide how to add new translations or modify existing ones. When adding translations, please check that you use select translations that are of proper length for the place on the GUI (e.g. it can happen that you define longer text that it is in English and it will go out of the graphics)

Which VoD servers are supported?

Beesmart Lite supports Espial MB 9.0, Anevia VoD, Bitband Maestro VoD server and Edgeware Orbit Vod server. Please note that Beesmart Lite supports only the VoD play out. For full set of VoD and recording features please upgrade to Beesmart Demo or Beesmart Pro.

How to configure the VoD server in the Beesmart admin? What is the Management IP and Capture IP parameter?

You can configure 3 different IP addresses for different interfaces of VOD server. This enables you to have different functions of VOD system in different networks/VLANs.

For the VoD servers that are used only for the VoD playout and are not officially supported by Beesmart, you usually need only VoD Server IP, though entering data in all fields is required.

Can I connect some VoD servers that are not officially supported by Beesmart?

For VoD play out only, also any other RTSP based VoD server can be used. Please make sure that you configure it as Edgeware Orbit server. You have to configure it as a non recordable server. Please note, that some VoD servers require basic API connectivity even for the vod playout. Because of this, it is recommended to use the Orbit type for the VoD server. Your VoD server should support standard RTSP link to the vod content. STB will send the RTSP link in this format: "rtsp://" + serverIp + "/" + assetName. Is is also required that all VoD related jobs are disabled.

Can I connect DRM system to the Beesmart Lite?

No. DRM is not supported for Beesmart Lite. If you need DRM, you can upgrade to the Beesmart Pro.

Can I use my existing provisioning and billing system for adding new subscribers and devices and for billing activities?

Yes. Beesmart Lite supports SOAP based web services API that can be used for provisioning and billing. Please check the Beesmart Lite documentation for the details.

Which EPG providers can I use for ingesting EPG?

Beesmart Lite natively supports Port.hu EPG provider. However, you can use any EPG provider as long as you adapt to the Beesmart EPG format. Please check the Beesmart Lite documentation for detailed instructions how to do that.

Are there any logs with useful troubleshooting information?

Yes. You can check the server.log and beesmart.log. Please also check the Troubleshooting guide for some tips and tricks. Useful toll is also the Beesmart config utility. It is a script, located in the folder /home/beesmart/scripts named bs_config. You can start it with the ./bs_config. This script will store useful information to the txt file that you can attach to the Beesmart Lite forum if posting a question.

Is the OTT streaming supported on the Beesmart Lite?

Basic OTT streaming is supported for Live TV channels with Beesmart Lite. For any Live TV channel you can define OTT Link parameter where you set the URL for the content. This link can be either for http streaming of TS files or for HLS streaming. In addition for the STB device under Entities/Devices you need to define it as OTT device. Please note that STB should support OTT streaming. Check with the STB vendor if OTT streaming is supported on your preferred STB.

Which transport technologies can I use for the OTT with the Beesmart Lite?

Beesmart Lite supports basic OTT streaming for the Live TV content. From the middleware perspective transport technology is transparent. You can use any technology where you define the content link in the URL format and that STB supports it. In practice, HLS and http streaming of TS files is most commonly used.

When I switch between Live TV channels I see only small video window instead of a full screen. How can I solve this problem?

Described behavior is present if STB device does not support the PIP feature and PIP is activated for this STB device in the admin portal. Please check that in the Entities/Device/, PIP is disabled for specific STB device.

When I switch to a Live TV channel on the TV, I see black screen and the popup »Channel not included in your TV package«. How can I add this channel to my package?

This message means that particular Live TV channel is not included in the subscriber package of your subscriber. Please check the Administration Guide how to add Live TV channels in the proper package.

I connected the STB to the Beesmart Lite, but I don't get the login screen on the TV. What can be wrong?

There are usually two scenarios. If you see white screen on the TV, it means that Beesmart Lite client on the STB can't connect to the server. It can be because of wrong URL configuration, IP connectivity or issues on the server (e.g. DB not working, URL for client devices no defined…). If you see black screen on the TV, the reason can be that STB is not added to the devices in the Beesmart Lite admin with the correct MAC address and the device is not connected to the subscriber.

In any case, you can check the following:

• Make sure that you have the correct SW on the STB that supports Beesmart Lite
• Make sure that you configured correct MW URL on the STB
• Make sure that IP connectivity between Beesmart Lite server and STB is OK
• Make sure that STB and subscriber is correctly configured in the Beesmart Lite admin
• Make sure that Beesmart Lite server is up and running (check the Troubleshooting Guide for instructions how to do that)
• Make sure that DB is up and running (check the Troubleshooting Guide for instructions how to do that)
• Check the Troubleshooting Guide for other relevant Tips&Tricks
• Check other topics in the FAQ section
• Check the Beesmart Lite forum for any similar issues already answered

I successfully ingested EPG but there is no EPG data on the TV. What can be wrong?

Please check that the date and time on the STB is correct and that also the Beesmart Lite server has the correct time.

Beesmart Lite server was working without any problems, but now I can't connect any more to the admin portal and I don't get the login screen if I restart the STB. What can I do?

Please check if you recently did any changes in your configuration or in the network. Otherwise, please check the Beesmart Lite Installation Guide and Troubleshooting Guide for the basic troubleshooting procedures. In general, you should check if:

• Beesmart Lite server is up. If not, restart it.
• Jboss server is up. If not, restart it.
• Apache server is up. If not, restart it.
• Connectivity between STB and server is up

In some cases, restart of the Jboss or restart of the server can also help. Procedures how to do above steps are described in the Beesmart Lite Troubleshooting Guide. If you will still be facing same issue, please check the FAQ section or Beesmart Lite forum for similar issues already being answered.