Blue Pill Inside (BPI) - Getting Started

Step by step guide to initial set up of a Blue Pill Inside device.

Networking
Accessing Blue Pill
Select Mapping
Adding Devices
Populating Constant Sets
Watch Youtube videos

Networking

Unlike UniSketch where a change of configuration and included device cores needed an online exchange with the SKAARHOJ server, on Blue Pill everything is stored and enabled and disabled locally in Reactor. Only software updates or installations of non-existing device cores and applications need communication with the SKAARHOJ server over the internet. All changes in configurations can be done via the local network.

Network Requirements

SKAARHOJ Blue Pill controllers have a 1 GBit network interface
5W-30W PoE (+)
PoE Standard: IEEE 802.3af/t

Remember a SKAARHOJ controller and client must be on the same subnet (192.168.10.* or one defined for the local network used by the controller). With multiple SKAARHOJ units connected to the same network they need to have different IP addresses!

Power over Ethernet (PoE) Specifications

We use the PoE industry standard 5W-30W PoE (+) IEEE802.3af7t. To power our controllers using PoE it is important the switch supports this standard. Please notice some manufactures such as Ubiquity have their own non-standard 24V type of PoE which is incompatible with our controllers. Especially pay attention to the standard when using a PoE injector.

Network Layout

A RCP Pro and cameras configuration could look like this:

Please note, we are not networking experts and are not able to assist in network set up.

Accessing Blue Pill

DHCP or Static IP

The Blue Pill’s user interface is accessed via the device’s IP Address and any web browser. The IP address can be found on the display after it is plugged into a network connection with PoE or a network connection and a power supply (5V Micro USB). By default the Blue Pill should get an IP address via DHCP, if that fails it should fallback to 192.168.10.99.

Entering the IP address into the address bar of a search engine will bring up a prompt for username and password. The default is username: admin password: skaarhoj

Wi-Fi Access Point

If the Blue Pill is not displaying an IP address, the web interface is accessible by enabling the internal Wi-Fi access point.

To enable the Wi-Fi access point, gently press and hold the config button on the side of the Blue Pill for about 3 seconds (Found next to the Ethernet jack. Use a flat screw driver, a paper clip or similar). When released, it will enable the internal Access Point and the LED will light up purple. It will show up in the Wi-Fi networks list as SKAARHOJ-XXXXXX (Blue Pill’s serial number).

The default password is: skaarhoj

The web interface is then accessed at the IP address: 192.168.4.1

After accessing the Blue Pill it is best to navigate to the System Menu/System page to set a static IP address. Once saved, the new IP address will appear on the Blue Pill’s display, it may be necessary to reboot or power cycle the device afterwards.

Link from SKAARHOJ Firmware Updater

If the SKAARHOJ Firmware Updater open on a computer running on the same subnet as the Blue Pill, the Blue Pill should appear below the main controller access buttons of the updater. Clicking on Configure next to the panel’s information will open the web interface directly. The Blue Pill does not need to be connected to the computer via USB.

SKAARHOJ Firmware Updater and Micro USB

If a network connection to the Blue Pill in not available, the IP address can be set using a Micro USB cable. In this case the Blue Pill will appear in the “Select Device” dropdown and the “IP Config” tab in the Firmware Updater can be used to set the IP address (same procedure from UniSketch):

In this case it was identified as “/dev/tty.usbmodem4430361” (on MacOS) and pressing IP Config will open the IP set up page:

If/When the warning below appears, press “Submit” and reboot the Blue Pill:

Select Mapping

The controller’s layout is determined by the Mapping. In most cases, the Generic mapping is all that is needed, though for some combinations of panel and device, there are specific mappings.

The mapping is chosen in the drop down next to the panel.

Adding Devices

There are two main ways a device can be added to a new Blue Pill, Auto Discover and Manually.

Auto Discover

Searching on the network for devices will find many types by a combination of mDNS look-ups and other methods. However, not all devices can be discovered easily, but with those that can, it’s a simple click of a button to add it to the Blue Pill device collection. Following an Auto Discover some device details may still be needed to establish connectivity. See Device Details section for set up.

Pressing SHIFT + the green Select button will allow for multiple device selection.

Manually Added

If a device must be added manually, it’s easy to look it up in the list of supported models. Following a manual choice of device, the user will have to enter the IP address and other possible device detail information. See the Device Details section for set up.

Pressing SHIFT + the green Add Device button will allow for multiple device selection.

Device Details

Devices have their status displayed clearly in the overviews on the Home screen.

Clicking on a device name in the Devices section will open up the details. Here the name, ID number, and Active status of the devices can be changed. By default the controller name will be the same as the model name, the ID will be auto generated in order, and the status will be active. A controller’s status needs to be active for use. When applicable to the device, the option for connecting is a specific Username and Password will also be available. Without setting a specific username and password, in most cases the core will try to connect to the device’s default username and password.

Populating Constant Sets

The final step is to fill in any constant sets. The constant sets are available based on the chosen configuration and should contain entries such as specific cameras for a PTZ controller, or the inputs for a video switcher etc. They are most common when working with PTZ cameras and routing panels, though may be available for additional device configurations.

The setup tables will auto save and quickly appear on displays and enable the function.

An example of a setup table would be a camera selector and can be seen below. These can be different depending on the selected configuration. From here the order on the camera selector row of the panel will be set as well as the desired name on the displays.

Column	Description
Drag	Allows for quick rearranging of camera order. Right clicking on drag will allow for deleting the row.
Mute	Allows for removing access to a specific camera or to leave a blank spot on the panel
Binding	Allows for the selecting of a specific connected camera
Camera Name	Customizable name to appear on the displays. Character limit is determined by size of display and can vary.
Device Number	Ties the camera selector to the specific device. This is found in the Devices section. Each device will have a unique device number per device core. This box should auto-populate when a camera is selected in binding
Link Selector	Selects the protocol based configuration associated with camera. Needed protocol can be seen in the Devices section, each device is grouped into their native protocols. Double check the correct configuration is selected. Improper selection will effect camera control.
Channel Link	Selects the needed protocol for Iris/Master Black control. For cameras without a variable lens this will follow the same protocol as the device. For cameras with a variable lens, select the protocol for the attached lens. Not available on all configuration classes.
Tally Index	Sets the Tally Index number to connect with associated tally source device. See Blue Pill/Reactor Manual for more information. This column does not need to be filled out for standard operation.
Route Index	Sets the Route Index number to connect with associated routing device. See Blue Pill/Reactor Manual for more information. This column does not need to be filled out for standard operation.
FrameLink Window	Sets the FrameLink Window value associated with the FrameLink device core for use with FrameLink compatible devices. See Blue Pill/Reactor Manual for more information. This column does not need to be filled out for standard operation.

An example of a router inputs selector can be seen below. These can be different depending on the selected configuration and device. From here the order on the inputs/outputs row of the panel will be set as well as the desired name on the displays and button color.

Column	Description
Drag	Allows for quick rearranging of camera order. Right clicking on drag will allow for deleting the row.
Mute	Allows for removing access to a specific input/output or to leave a blank spot on the panel
Output Number/Input Number	Ties the selector to the specific input/output. This is found is determined by the individual router.
Alternative Label	Customizable name to appear on the displays. Character limit is determined by size of display and can vary.
Color	Sets the button feedback color. Color options are: OFF, WHITE, WARM, RED, ROSE, PINK, PURPLE, AMBER, YELLOW, DARKBLUE, BLUE, ICE, CYAN, SPRING, GREEN, MINT. The format for color selection is all large letters with no spaces between words.

Watch Youtube videos

In addition to our written guides, you can also watch our Youtube videos on how to get started.

• Get Started with Blue Pill Inside products
https://youtu.be/VtdJ9xVu3qA

• Get started with Blue Pill Server
https://youtu.be/EROUURQU9pE

• Reactor overview
https://youtu.be/dAPuzK6G5AQ

• How to change IP address
https://youtu.be/tr8ucKOvuAE

• Access without DHCP <-- old version of 'How to change IP address'
https://youtu.be/59d2fc1kAuQ

• Manage and Backup Projects
https://youtu.be/npju0vfzCSw