Av Hlc100pe (Dvqp1754za) e
Av Hlc100pe (Dvqp1754za) e
Av Hlc100pe (Dvqp1754za) e
Before operating this product, please read the instructions carefully and save this manual for future use.
Before using this product, be sure to read “Read this first!” (pages 3 to 7).
P E
W0418WT0 -FJ ENGLISH
DVQP1754ZA
Trademarks and registered trademarks Abbreviations
• Microsoft® and Windows® are either registered The following abbreviations are used in this manual.
trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the • Personal computers are referred to as “computers”.
United States and other countries.
• Apple, Mac and OS X are registered trademarks of Apple
Inc., in the United States and other countries. Illustrations and screen displays
• Photoshop is a trademark or registered trademark of Adobe featured in the manual
Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other
• What is shown in the manual’s illustrations and screen
countries.
displays may differ from how it is actually appears.
• Other names of companies and products contained in
• The screenshots are used in accordance with the
these Operating Instructions may be trademarks or
guidelines of Microsoft Corporation.
registered trademarks of their respective owners.
2
Read this first!
WARNING: CAUTION:
This equipment must be earthed. In order to maintain adequate ventilation, do not
To ensure safe operation, the three-pin plug must install or place this unit in a bookcase, built-in
be inserted only into a standard three-pin power cabinet or any other confined space. To prevent
point which is effectively earthed through the risk of electric shock or fire hazard due to
normal household wiring. overheating, ensure that curtains and any other
Extension cords used with the equipment must materials do not obstruct the ventilation.
have three cores and be correctly wired to
provide connection to the earth.
Wrongly wired extension cords are a major cause CAUTION:
of fatalities. The fact that the equipment operates To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock and
satisfactorily does not imply that the power point annoying interference, use the recommended
is earthed or that the installation is completely accessories only.
safe. For your safety, if you are in any doubt
about the effective earthing of the power point,
please consult a qualified electrician.
CAUTION:
Do not leave the unit in direct contact with the
skin for long periods of time when in use.
WARNING: Low temperature burn injuries may be suffered if
• To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do the high temperature parts of this unit are in
not expose this equipment to rain or moisture. direct contact with the skin for long periods of
• To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, keep time.
this equipment away from all liquids. Use and
store only in locations which are not exposed to
the risk of dripping or splashing liquids, and do CAUTION:
not place any liquid containers on top of the A coin type battery is installed inside of the unit.
equipment. Do not expose the unit to excessive heat such as
sunshine, fire or the like.
CAUTION:
Do not remove panel covers by unscrewing. CAUTION:
To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not Excessive sound pressure from earphones and
remove the covers. headphones can cause hearing loss.
No user serviceable parts inside.
Refer servicing to qualified service personnel.
CAUTION:
The mains plug of the power supply cord shall
remain readily operable.
The AC receptacle (mains socket outlet) shall be
installed near the equipment and shall be easily
accessible. To completely disconnect this
equipment from the AC mains, disconnect the
power cord plug from the AC receptacle.
3
Read this first! (continued)
For AV-HLC100P
NOTIFICATION (Canada)
CAN ICES-3 (A)/NMB-3(A)
4
Read this first! (continued)
For AV-HLC100E
WARNING:
This equipment is compliant with Class A of
CISPR 32.
In a residential environment this equipment may
cause radio interference.
5
Read this first! (continued)
For AV-HLC100E
2. Performance level
The performance level of the apparatus is equivalent to or better than the performance level required by these standards.
However, the apparatus may be adversely affected by interference if it is being used in an EMC environment,
such as an area where strong electromagnetic fields are generated (by the presence of signal transmission
towers, cellular phones, etc.). In order to minimize the adverse effects of the interference on the apparatus in
cases like this, it is recommended that the following steps be taken with the apparatus being affected and with
its operating environment:
1.Place the apparatus at a distance from the source of the interference.
2.Change the direction of the apparatus.
3.Change the connection method used for the apparatus.
4.Connect the apparatus to another power outlet where the power is not shared by any other appliances.
Turkey Only
AEEE Yönetmeliğine Uygundur.
AEEE Complies with Directive of Turkey.
6
Read this first! (continued)
For AV-HLC100E
7
Contents
Read this first! ............................................................3 Section 6.6 The Administration Panel ................. 28
Section 6.7 The Live Desktop ............................. 29
Section 6.8 Configure Video Inputs .................... 29
PART I Getting Started
Section 6.9 Configure Audio ............................... 31
Chapter 1 Accessories ......................................11 6.9.1 Audio Headroom ........................... 33
Chapter 2 Precautions for use .........................11 Section 6.10 Networking ....................................... 33
Chapter 3 About This Manual ...........................12
Chapter 4 Introduction ......................................13
PART II Reference
Section 4.1 Overview ..........................................13
Chapter 7 Administration Panel ....................... 35
Section 4.2 Control Surface ................................13
Section 4.3 User Interface...................................14 Section 7.1 Displaying the Administration Panel ...... 35
4.3.1 Administration Panel......................14 7.1.1 Video Settings ............................... 36
4.3.2 Live Desktop ..................................15 7.1.2 Utilities ........................................... 36
Section 4.4 Features ...........................................15 7.1.3 Title Page Defaults ........................ 39
4.4.1 Physical .........................................15 7.1.4 Footer Tools .................................. 41
4.4.2 Multi-Tier Failsafe ..........................16 Chapter 8 Live Desktop .................................... 42
4.4.3 A/V Input and Output .....................16 Section 8.1 Display Requirements ...................... 42
4.4.4 Skype TX .......................................16 Section 8.2 Overview .......................................... 42
4.4.5 Monitoring ......................................16 8.2.1 Control Types ................................ 43
4.4.6 Video Processing...........................17 Section 8.3 The Dashboard ................................ 44
4.4.7 The Switcher..................................17 8.3.1 File Menu ....................................... 45
4.4.8 Record and Stream .......................18 8.3.2 Options Menu ................................ 45
4.4.9 Automation ....................................18 8.3.3 Information Display........................ 46
4.4.10 Audio Mixer ....................................18 Section 8.4 Monitoring ........................................ 46
4.4.11 Integrated Clip and Still Players, 8.4.1 Program ......................................... 47
Plus Titles ......................................18 8.4.2 Preview and Source Viewports ..... 47
Chapter 5 Parts and their functions ................19 8.4.3 Grab............................................... 48
Section 5.1 Control Panel ...................................19 8.4.4 Configuration Options.................... 48
5.1.1 Camera control area ......................19 Chapter 9 Configure Video Sources ................ 49
5.1.2 Switcher area.................................20 Section 9.1 Input Settings Tab ............................ 49
5.1.3 Audio area .....................................21 9.1.1 Source Options .............................. 49
5.1.4 Menu control area..........................21 9.1.2 Input Names .................................. 52
5.1.5 Grab & stream/record area ............22 9.1.3 PTZ (Connection) .......................... 52
5.1.6 Joystick area..................................22 Section 9.2 PTZ Tab ........................................... 53
Section 5.2 Rear panel area ...............................23 9.2.1 Manual Navigation......................... 54
Section 5.3 System configuration .......................24 9.2.2 PTZ Presets .................................. 54
Chapter 6 Setting Up .........................................25 9.2.3 PTZ and the Control Surface ........ 55
Section 6.1 Command and Control .....................25 Section 9.3 Color Tab ......................................... 55
Section 6.2 Input Connections ............................26 9.3.1 Auto Color ..................................... 56
6.2.1 Connect A/V Sources ....................26 9.3.2 Proc Amp ....................................... 56
Section 6.3 Output Connections .........................26 Chapter 10 Switcher and Overlays .................... 58
6.3.1 A/V Output .....................................26 Section 10.1 Switcher ........................................... 58
Section 6.4 Tally Lights .......................................27 10.1.1 AUX Video Output ......................... 58
6.4.1 Connection Details ........................27 10.1.2 Understanding Video Layers ......... 59
Section 6.5 Starting a Production Session..........28 Section 10.2 Switcher Transitions......................... 60
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10.2.1 Presets ..........................................60 Section 14.6 Initiating the Stream ......................... 86
10.2.2 Duration .........................................60 Section 14.7 Streaming Strategies ....................... 86
Section 10.3 Overlays ...........................................61 14.7.1 On Demand or Live Streaming? .... 86
10.3.1 Configuring Transitions .................61 14.7.2 Streaming Media Providers ........... 88
10.3.2 Positioning .....................................62 Section 14.8 Diagnostics and Troubleshooting ..... 89
10.3.3 Overlays and Transparency ..........63 14.8.1 Testing your stream....................... 89
10.3.4 Delegating Overlays ......................63 14.8.2 Speed Tests .................................. 92
Chapter 11 Media Players ...................................64 14.8.3 Is it Really a Local Issue? ............. 92
Section 11.1 Playlists ............................................64 Chapter 15 Control Surface ................................ 93
11.1.1 File Operations ..............................65 Section 15.1 Surface Layout ................................. 93
11.1.2 Properties ......................................65 15.1.1 Control Groups .............................. 93
11.1.3 Media Browser...............................66 Section 15.2 Camera Controls .............................. 94
11.1.4 Player Controls ..............................67 Section 15.3 Switcher Group ................................ 94
Chapter 12 Title Editor ........................................68 15.3.1 Program and Preview .................... 94
Section 12.1 Edit tab .............................................69 15.3.2 Switcher Delegates ....................... 95
12.1.1 Text Tools ......................................69 15.3.3 Cut and Auto ................................. 95
12.1.2 Stand-In Images ............................69 15.3.4 Fader lever .................................... 95
Section 12.2 DataLink ...........................................70 15.3.5 Setup ............................................. 96
Section 12.3 Presets .............................................71 Section 15.4 Audio ................................................ 97
Section 15.5 Menu ................................................ 98
Chapter 13 Audio .................................................72
Section 15.6 Grab & Stream/Record .................... 99
Section 13.1 Specifications ...................................72 Section 15.7 Joystick ............................................ 99
Section 13.2 Headphones .....................................73
Section 13.3 VU Meters ........................................73
Section 13.4 External Sources ..............................73 PART III Appendices
13.4.1 Connection Type ...........................74 A. Performance Considerations ........................... 101
13.4.2 Analog Audio Input ........................74 A.1 Testing, One Two … ...................................... 101
Section 13.5 Skype TX and Mix Minus .................74 A.2 IMAG and Latency ......................................... 101
Section 13.6 TalkBack ..........................................74 Relativity and the Speed of Light ............... 101
Section 13.7 Common Controls ............................75 Latency and Your Audience ....................... 101
13.7.1 Mute ...............................................75 Latency and Your AV-HLC100 ................... 102
13.7.2 Solo ...............................................75 Other Sources of Latency........................... 102
13.7.3 CLIP Player ...................................76
B. Keystroke Shortcuts ......................................... 104
Section 13.8 Advanced Configuration ...................76
C. Using Skype TX ................................................. 105
13.8.1 Audio Delay ...................................76
13.8.2 Pan ................................................77 C.1 Skype TX Control Application ........................ 105
13.8.3 Processing .....................................77 C.2 Connecting the Control Application to
13.8.4 Automation ....................................79 AV-HLC100 .................................................... 106
Section 13.9 Output Control ..................................80 D. Control Surface Menus..................................... 108
13.9.1 Headroom Notes ...........................80 E. Appearance ........................................................ 114
Chapter 14 Stream/Record .................................81 F. Reliability Testing .............................................. 115
Section 14.1 Installation ........................................81 G. Specifications ................................................... 115
Section 14.2 Overview ..........................................83 Index ....................................................................... 119
Section 14.3 Encoder Configuration .....................84
Section 14.4 Presets .............................................84
14.4.1 Custom Presets .............................85
14.4.2 Record (File Capture) ....................86
Section 14.5 Web Browser....................................86
9
PART I Getting Started
Introducing Your Panasonic AV-HLC100 – connections and registration, a top-level overview of primary features,
and a hands-on tour to get you started.
Chapter 1 Accessories
Check that the following accessories are present and accounted for.
• After removing the product from its container, dispose of the power cable cap and packing materials in an
appropriate manner.
Maintenance
Turn off the unit’s power and wipe the product using a dry cloth. To remove stubborn dirt, dip a cloth into a diluted
solution of kitchen detergent (neutral), wring it out well, and wipe the product gently.
Then, after wiping the product with a moist cloth, wipe it again with a dry cloth.
<Caution>
• Avoid using benzine, paint thinners and other volatile fluids.
• If a chemical cleaning cloth is to be used, carefully read through the precautions for its use.
Precaution to be observed during production
This product’s image switching and image effect functions can be used to produce images which flicker rapidly or
images which change rapidly.
However, bear in mind when using these functions in production that the kinds of images produced may have an
adverse effect on the viewer’s physical well-being.
When the product is to be discarded
When the product is to be discarded at the end of its service life, ask a specialized contractor to dispose of it
properly in order to protect the environment.
11
Chapter 3 About This Manual
PART II – Reference
This section covers the fine details of using your system (for those who need it, or simply like to know
everything there is to know).
12
Chapter 4 Introduction
Your Panasonic AV-HLC100 Live Production Center is a powerful video production system, supporting
web streaming and capture, internal media players, and an integrated control surface complete with PTZ
(pan-tilt-zoom) camera control.
AV-HLC100 lets you produce live video programs from diverse sources in high definition formats all the
way up to 1080/60p. The system fully supports NewTek’s innovative NDI (Network Device Interface)
protocol, placing it squarely in the forefront of IP video solutions.
FIGURE 1
The small desktop footprint of this compact all-in-one unit is ideal for mobile applications, conference
rooms and any installations where space is limited.
AV-HLC100’s control surface (Figure 1) features a traditional video mixer’s Program and Preview row
configuration, with Cut and Auto buttons and Fader lever along with overlay (Picture in Picture and Title)
controls. It also features audio input and output controls, media players (Clip and Still), and a 3-axis
joystick to control up to eight individual PTZ cameras.
13
The rear panel provides a wealth of state-of-the-art a/v connectivity (Figure 2). Keyboard, mouse and
external storage solutions can be connected to the USB 3.0 connectors at left, while a monitor for the
user interface is supported by nearby HDMI and Display ports.
FIGURE 2
Connect HDMI and SDI video sources, or use the two network inputs for a/v input and output using NDI
(Network Device Interface) supported by many video products – including a number of Panasonic
professional cameras.
Note that the Administration panel is not shown each time you
launch AV-HLC100 thereafter. The settings you choose are
retained, as are any assets you might have imported, along
with configuration options for video and audio inputs and
control states.
FIGURE 3
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4.3.2 Live Desktop
AV-HLC100’s live production features are all available from its Live Desktop (Figure 3).
The various features and controls and modules comprising the Live Desktop are arranged in horizontal
bands, as seen in Figure 4.
Dashboard
Monitoring
Video Mixer
FIGURE 4
Let’s take time for a brief overview of just some of the key features of your AV-HLC100.
4.4.1 Physical
• Compact, sturdy chassis, with easily accessible audio, video, monitoring and network connectors
from the rear for convenient installation in industry standard configurations.
• Professional grade fader lever and 3-axis joystick for video mixing, PTZ control and more.
• Audio and video connectors (except HDMI) use industry standard BNC and ¼” (6.35 mm) TRS jacks.
• Fast USB 3.0 connectors support connectivity for external storage devices for capture.
• 15-pin DE-15 (‘VGA-style’) Tally output connector.
15
4.4.2 Multi-Tier Failsafe
‘Always on Air’ features provide multi-tiered redundant software failsafe mechanisms. To name just a few:
• AV-HLC100 also has a comprehensive integrated system restore feature. You can quickly restore
factory defaults, or create a custom drive image on another volume and either restore from that.
• Multiple software failsafe systems continually monitor and safeguard the live performance.
Recoverable software error conditions are quickly and unobtrusively dealt with.
• Connect and switch up to 8 external video sources, and two internal sources. AV-HLC100
supports SDI video input and output, internal, NDI and *NDI|HX video sources, and both analog
and digital audio input and output.
* requires installation of the NewTek NDI|HX driver for Windows®.
• Distribute your program over two SDI outputs, which can carry the main program or another
individually selected video source.
• Transmit output to other NDI-enabled systems across the network. AV-HLC100’s NDI output can
substitute for multiple traditional outputs, without requiring an external distribution amp.
• Professional BNC connectors provide increased durability and reliability for camera connections.
• Control supported robotic (PTZ) cameras via network connection.
• Freely mix 16:9 or 4:3 SD formats, and output as UHD, HD and SD simultaneously.
• Media Player modules allow you to insert pre-recorded video and imagery into your live presentations.
• Select Microsoft® Windows® or Apple Macintosh computers on the same network as Switcher
inputs for your live productions using NDI Scan Converter clients.
• Mix and route internal and external audio sources, including analog or (digital) embedded audio.
4.4.4 Skype TX
• AV-HLC100’s support for Microsoft’s powerful Skype TX platform allows you introduce Skype
calls from almost anywhere in the world into your programs. Skype TX requires nothing more than
a network connection to an external computer running the (free) Skype TX control application that
provides call management.
4.4.5 Monitoring
FIGURE 5
AV-HLC100’s Live Desktop includes a large monitoring pane with multiple viewports showing Program
output and Look Ahead Preview monitors, along with all external sources and Media Players.
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4.4.6 Video Processing
• Full 4:4:4:4 32-bit floating point internal processing of all video sources.
• Proc Amps, White Balance and Auto Color features for every source preserve pristine color fidelity.
AV-HLC100’s switcher and NewTek’s NDI (Network Device Interface) support puts countless video
sources at your fingertips.
FIGURE 6
FIGURE 7
O VERLAY C HANNELS
FIGURE 8
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4.4.8 Record and Stream
• *Record your live-switched production, and easily grab still images from Program or external
inputs.
• *Stream to multiple Internet destinations for redistribution.
* Requires the NewTek Streaming for AV-HLC100 plugin.
4.4.9 Automation
Use AV-HLC100’s convenient audio Follow feature to ensure you hear the sources you want in your
audio mix based on visible Switcher sources.
• Adjust and sweeten audio sources for your program manually or automatically. Control external
audio sources supplied via SDI, analog, or NDI.
• Control output levels for program and headphones.
• Extensive and flexible ‘audio follow video’ options.
• Exclusive or latched Solo controls.
• Independent 7-band EQ, Compressor/Limiter and Noise Gate for each source and output.
• Configurable VU meter scales: Show VU meter calibration as digital (dBFS) or analog (dBVU or
dBu).
• Create playlists including a/v clips, sound files or still image files.
• Trim and re-order playlist entries.
• Flexible playback controls include variable Speed and Loop options.
• Control Clips player volume and other advanced audio options in the Audio Mixer.
• Autoplay feature starts and stops Clips playback automatically based on Switcher activity.
• Edit titles live, even while ‘on air’.
• Quickly switch between 8 different title presets.
• Automatically update text values in title pages based on media metadata.
• Import layered Photoshop® PSD files and automatically convert these to live-editable title pages.
18
Chapter 5 Parts and their functions
19
5.1.2 Switcher area
5. [CUT] button
This executes a straight cut for all selected video
layers (title, picture-in-picture, and video source).
20
5.1.3 Audio area
4. [ALT] button
This is used to operate the functions (PTZ PRESET,
etc.) of the menu control area.
21
5.1.5 Grab & stream/record area
Note: The following two buttons are enabled only when the NewTek Streaming for AV-HLC100 plugin
is installed.
1. [GRAB] button
This captures a still image from the program output.
2. [REC/STREAM] button
This switches between the STREAM and RECORD functions on the dashboard of the live desktop.
3. Top button
Each press of this button switches the function of the
adjustment ring (zoom/focus).
4. [PTZ] button
This selects the camera to control using each of the
buttons in the menu control area.
22
Section 5.2 Rear panel area
23
Section 5.3 System configuration
24
Chapter 6 Setting Up
• Panasonic AV-HLC100
• A/C power supply
• Mouse and keyboard
• Print inserts
Hint: The graphical user interface requires a minimum monitor resolution of 1600x900 pixels.
1. Connect an external computer monitor to either of the ports in the HDMI/Display group on the
motherboard backplate at left on AV-HLC100’s rear.
2. Connect the mouse and keyboard to nearby USB ports.
3. Turn on the computer monitor.
4. Connect the power cord to an A/C power receptacle, A word about UPS devices:
and the round power connector to the matching input
connector at left on the motherboard backplate. ‘Modified sine wave’ UPS devices
are popular due to low manufacturing
5. Press the Power rocker switch located just above the
costs. However, such units should
power input connector on AV-HLC100’s rear panel.
generally be viewed as being of low
quality and possibly inadequate to
fully protect the system from
abnormal power events.
Power conditioners can reduce wear on power supplies and other electronics, and provide a further
measure of protection from surges, spikes, lightning and high voltage.
25
Section 6.2 Input Connections
FIGURE 10
1. Connect local SDI or HDMI video sources to connectors in the VIDEO IN section (note that input
1 can be used to connect and HDMI source or an SDI one, but not both at once).
Note: Video sources with embedded audio do not necessarily require separate audio connections.
2. Connect any analog audio sources you wish to use (such as output from an external audio mixer)
to the Audio IN jacks; note that these are Line level, balanced audio inputs.
Next we’ll discuss the audio and video output connectors along with relevant settings. We’ll start with
video output, not only so you can view your results but because certain items are best considered before
beginning production.
AV-HLC100 provides two SDI video output connectors, and a stereo pair of analog audio outputs.
1. Connect downstream video production devices to the connectors in the SDI OUT section as
desired.
Hint: The output video format is configured in the Administration panel (see Section 7.1.1).
2. Network (NDI and Stream) output obviously requires a network connection; in addition to optional
add-on software, streaming usually also requires an Internet connection.
26
THE VIDEO FORMAT FOR NDI OUTPUTS IS HANDLED AUTOMATICALLY. NDI MERELY
REQUIRES A NETWORK CONNECTION TO COMMUNICATE WITH NDI-ENABLED SYSTEMS
ON THE SAME NETWORK.
3. Connect external audio devices to the connectors in the AUDIO OUT section.
Tally Light support allows you to connect external tally lights and similar devices. These typically
provide a red LED for the video input that is currently selected on the Switcher’s Program row.
(NDI outputs also natively support tally over the network, without a separate connection.)
FIGURE 11
Engineering Notes
27
Section 6.5 Starting a Production Session
1. If AV-HLC100 is not already running, power it up now to reveal the Administration panel.
Hint: If the Live Desktop is already visible you may need to use the File menu item “Exit to
Administration” to return to the Administration panel.
FIGURE 12
2. Continue preparing for production by designating the video Standard used in your locale, either
NTSC or PAL under the heading Video Settings.
3. For now, click the nearby HD 3G format preset button (even if the cameras you plan to connect
output something different).
4. Finally, click the Launch button at the bottom of the panel.
28
Section 6.7 The Live Desktop
FIGURE 13
Initially, as you have not yet configured inputs or added content, the Live Desktop looks a bit barren
(Figure 13). Take a quick look around, but then let’s continue to configure your devices. (We had a brief
glimpse at the Live Desktop back in 4.3.2, but we’ll examine it more closely in Chapter 8.)
1. Move your mouse over the viewport for INPUT 1, and notice
that a Configure button (gear icon) appears on it at lower-
right.
FIGURE 14
2. Click this Configure button to open a tabbed settings panel.
Hint: As a quicker way to access the Input configuration panel, simply double-click the viewport.
29
FIGURE 15
3. Click the Source drop-down menu to see a list of available sources (Figure 16). The Local inputs,
Black and Input 1-4, are listed first along with the Skype TX Caller option which we will discuss
later. NDI (Network Device Interface) sources discovered by AV-HLC100 are grouped below
under headings identifying channel(s) provided by the source device, or in some cases, device
type.
FIGURE 16
30
Hint: If an NDI source is no longer sending frames but remains connected, in some cases the last frame
seen may be shown.
a. For NDI video sources, simply making a selection completes the connection setup.
Note: To receive NDI|HX sources, such as the output from NDI-enabled Panasonic cameras, the
NewTek NDI|HX driver for Windows® must be installed on AV-HLC100.
4. Continue to connect and configure additional video sources in the same manner.
We’ll look at the other options and settings later, but at this point you should be able to view the video
inputs you have configured on the Live Desktop multiview monitors.
Click the Audio Mixer button in the Dashboard at the top of the Live Desktop to reveal the Audio Mixer,
which provides configuration controls for all internal and external audio sources and output (Figure 17).
FIGURE 17
In addition to internal sources and output, the Audio Mixer supports eight independent external audio
source connections. Each input (and output) has its own control panel with Volume slider, VU meters,
and other convenient features.
An identifying label sits at the top of each control panel. Roll the mouse pointer over a label to reveal a
Configuration button (gear) at right which, when clicked, opens the Configuration panel (Figure 18) for
that Mixer column.
31
FIGURE 18
In the Configuration panel’s Connection control group, the Connection menu group displays optional
sources for inputs. You will see the four local hardware inputs listed first (after Silence) in the menu as
“Input 1”, “Input 2”, etc.).
Note: Analog audio levels conform to SMPTE RP-155. The maximum input/output level is +24 dBu and
the sample rate is 48 kHz. Analog inputs comprise “line level, balanced” connections.
Returning to the audio Input Configuration panel, note that it holds both basic and advanced audio
features. In the former category, volume sliders are provided below VU meters for each audio source and
32
output. Source sliders default to their 0 dB gain setting on first launch. After adding audio sources, adjust
these sliders as required.
Hint: Most numeric controls in the interface can be reset to their defaults by pressing Shift while double-
clicking the control knob in the interface.
In digital audio systems, levels exceeding ‘legal’ values are ‘clipped’ (uniformly assigned the maximum
value). This results in audible issues that cannot be easily or fully corrected later. For this reason, it’s
customary to configure normal operating level (also referred to as the ‘alignment level’, or sometimes
‘nominal level’) well below the clipping limit so that occasional excessively loud sounds (for example, loud
laughter or applause) can be accommodated without risk.
This range above between nominal level and the highest possible level is referred to as ‘audio headroom’.
What is considered a suitable headroom allowance varies from one locale to another, in different industry
applications, and even in individual studios. AV-HLC100’s audio calibration follows well-established
conventions, providing 20 dB of headroom above nominal level (+4 dBu at 0 dB on the VU scale).
Hint: Confusion can sometimes arise because different calibration scales are common in various audio
realms, and even for different device types and software. For example, analog mixers commonly show
levels on VU scales indexed as just described. In contrast, digital devices and editing software usually
display levels in dBFS (Decibels Full Scale), with 0 dBFS – the absolute maximum signal level that can
be recorded – at the top. AV-HLC100’s VU meters have selectable calibration, allowing you to view a
traditional dB VU scale or dBFS as you please (see Section 13.9.1).
Whatever scale you choose, use the Gain controls in the audio Input Configuration to avoid over-
modulation. The Compressor/Limiter feature (also located in the Input Configuration) is another powerful
tool to help you prevent clipping – see Section 13.8.
Of course, AV-HLC100 provides extensive support for NDI sources and NDI outputs across a network.
Naturally this advanced feature requires your system to be connected to the network.
AV-HLC100 supplies two ‘Gigabit’ network connections on its backplane. Generally, simply connecting a
suitable cable from an Ethernet port on the unit’s backplate to your local network is all that is required to
connect to a local area network (LAN). In some settings, additional steps may be required. You can
access the Windows Network and Sharing control panel to accomplish more extensive configuration
tasks. If further help connecting is required, please consult your system administrator.
Note: To receive NDI|HX sources, such as the output from NDI-enabled Panasonic cameras, the
NewTek NDI|HX driver for Windows® must be installed on AV-HLC100.
33
PART II Reference
A thorough examination of the various aspects of your AV-HLC100 system: every button, menu item, feature and
control is considered in this section, so you can take full advantage of your system.
Chapter 7 Administration Panel
We introduced the Administration panel (Figure 19) briefly back in Section 4.3.1, and mentioned it again
in Section 6.6. It’s time now to look at it in closer detail.
FIGURE 19
Initially, this panel is the first thing you encounter on launching AV-HLC100, in order to allow you to
configure your system for your locale an applications. On subsequent launches, it is normally bypassed,
but you can display it easily later if you wish to make modifications to your established settings, or to
access the utilities it hosts.
To recall the Administration panel, access the Windows Start menu folder named Panasonic AV-HLC100,
and select the AV-HLC100 link. Alternatively, if AV-HLC100’s Live Desktop is displayed, you can chose
Exit to Administration from the File menu.
35
7.1.1 Video Settings
FIGURE 20
The Video Settings control group allows you to choose the operating format for your local video standard
and production purposes.
Note: The choices you make here will govern not only the current operating Video Standard, but also
the format of the system’s video output, and the expanded list of input connection types supported.
1. Under the label Standard, select NTSC or PAL as appropriate to your locale.
2. Continue to choose a video format suited to your needs:
o Clicking a format Preset button such HD 3G, HD, or SD automatically selects a suitable entry
in the Format menu at right.
o Or you can manually select another suitable format using the Format menu.
Having made your selections, you would normally click the Launch button at lower right to display the
Live Desktop – but first, let’s explore a few other features of the Administration panel.
7.1.2 Utilities
FIGURE 21
An array of important functions are provided in the Administration panel’s Utilities control group.
36
Access Manager
As you come to appreciate the power of NDI (Network Device Interface), you’ll doubtless want to avail
yourself of more and more of these ultra-convenient ‘video over IP’ sources.
FIGURE 22
At times, though, you may want to limit visibility of NDI channels on your local network to selected viewers.
Or you may need access to NDI channels from another subnet. The NDI Access Manager lets you assign
sources on individual host systems to groups, and choose which of these group that you receive. You
can also access NDI sources from other subnets or even other networks.
Conversely, adding a custom group in the Output tab lets others access your system’s NDI output by
adding a matching to their own Receive group list (Figure 23). If you remove “Public” from your Output
groups list, only systems configured to receive one of your custom groups will see your NDI output.
Similarly, from your Receive entries groups tells your local system to ignore channels that aren’t supplied
by a Receive groups.
37
FIGURE 23
To add a custom group to either the Receive or Output tab, click the New button in the footer of the panel.
R EMOTE S OURCES
FIGURE 24
The Remote Sources tab is somewhat similar to the Receive Groups tab, in that its entries add sources
to the list of those visible to NDI enabled applications on the local host.
The difference is that that entries in the Remote Sources do not identify NDI groups, but rather individual
remote NDI and *NDI|HX sources (including Panasonic cameras supporting NDI|HX). Remote sources
are identified in this panel by their IP address, rather than their NDI device or channel name.
* To receive NDI|HX sources, the NewTek NDI|HX driver for Windows® must be installed on AV-HLC100.
Note that sources listed in this panel can traverse subnets on the local network, and even connect across
different networks when specific criteria are met. (This may require your IT team to open specific ports
for this traffic. Please refer to NDI documentation for more information on these advanced topics.)
38
Restore Session Defaults
AV-HLC100 retains various configuration settings, including video and audio sources used in your
production, along with the CLIPS and STILLS media playlists you create (and so on) from one production
session to the next.
At times, though, you will want a ‘fresh start’. Clicking Restore Session Defaults clears out your playlists
and resets controls to default settings. Note that content stored in the default folders will be deleted,
including imported clips, images and titles, and any clips captured to the default session folders (unless
you have deliberately saved the projects and related files to locations outside the default production
folders).
FIGURE 25
AV-HLC100 provides a powerful system restoration feature to aid you should your software installation
ever be corrupted. Normally, using this feature uses a hidden software backup partition located on the
local hard drive to renovate the system partition. However the utility can also create a complete custom
system backup on an external USB hard drive with a capacity of at least 256 GB.
View documentation
FIGURE 26
Click this button to view user documentation and licenses installed on AV-HLC100.
FIGURE 27
39
T ITLE P AGES AND D ATA L INK
Naturally, AV-HLC100’s title pages support embedded text and images, and these can be modified on
the fly using the integrated Title Editor (see Chapter 12). However, it’s helpful to know that title pages
also support NewTek’s DataLink system, which provides a convenient and powerful alternative method
to update text and images.
Briefly, DataLink allows title pages to be updated automatically using data served by various local host
or network sources. It works like this:
• DataLink tracks values assigned to a set of special variables called DataLink keys. When used in
title pages, these keys are identified by a name wrapped in % signs – for example, %Session Title
Name%.
FIGURE 28
• So, while you might add a company name to a title page as a literal entry, e.g., “MyFirm
Incorporated”, the very same text value could be supplied by a DataLink key instead.
o You would enter %Session Title Name% on the title page, and assign “MyFirm
Incorporated” as the value of the corresponding DataLink key.
o When displayed on output, DataLink keys are dynamically evaluated, with the result that
“MyFirm Incorporated” is shown in place of the key (Figure 28).
Since both methods of supplying text to a title page provide the same result when displayed, you might
wonder why it would be worth using DataLink. Let’s consider one example:
• Almost all of the hundreds of title pages supplied with AV-HLC100 include the %Session Title
Name% and %Session Title Description% keys. Some also use %Session Title Image%.
40
• The Title Page Defaults control group in AV-HLC100’s Administration panel allows you to easily
modify these three DataLink key in one convenient location.
• Having set these name, description, and image key values here, every single title page on the
system where those keys have been used will immediately update to show the new values without
any need to manually edit them.
Whether you set the value for %Session Title Name% to a company or team name, or something
else, this can be a huge timesaver. Likewise, assign your company logo as the value for the
key %Session Title Name%, and it will automatically appear in scores of title pages.
Hint: DataLink keys can serve in many other ways, too. For example, some DataLink keys can
automatically insert time and date information into a title page. We’ll consider other way DataLink can
serve in Section 12.2.
FIGURE 29
The footer of the Administration panel is home to a few important buttons, too.
41
Chapter 8 Live Desktop
AV-HLC100’s Live Desktop provides a complete visual representation of your live production, each
connection, control and option. It launches from the Administration panel, or automatically on logging into
the system.
FIGURE 30
The Live Desktop provides visual feedback for operations, including monitoring, live switching, and so on.
It can be divided into three horizontal bands.
42
1 - Dashboard
• Quick access to File and Options menus, and important tools including optional Record
and Stream features
• Audio Mixer – open to access input configuration tools, level control, EQ and
Compressor/Limiters
2 - Monitors
• Monitor external video inputs along with internal sources, plus Look Ahead Preview and
Program output
• Configuration inputs and output, and work with playlists for CLIPS, STILLS, and TITLES
• PTZ (robotic) camera controls
• Grab still images from video sources
3 - Switching
• The Switcher row – provides quick and easy control over your primary program output
• Transition controls – choose Cut or selectable Transition mode
• Overlay video layer configuration and controls
• Overlay Transition selection
You will find various control types used repeatedly in the Live Desktop. Some examples are shown in the table
below.
Numeric Slider Gain, Pan Drag in line with the control’s orientation to raise or
lower the current value.
43
Rotary Knob Audio • Drag left-right to adjust the current value.
(single-value) Gain
To make very fine adjustments to slider values, hold down the Ctrl key while dragging the mouse (this
increases accuracy by 10x). Hold down the Shift key and double-click most controls to reset them to their
default values.
The Dashboard is home to a number of important features. Prominently located at the very top of the
Live Desktop, the Dashboard occupies the full width of the screen.
FIGURE 31
The various components of the Dashboard are listed below (starting from the left):
1. File menu
2. Options menu
3. Information Display
4. AUDIO MIXER button (see Chapter 13)
5. STREAM/ RECORD button and Configuration (see Chapter 14)
The latter two items are so important that they rate their own chapters in
this manual. In this chapter, we’ll focus on the first three items.
FIGURE 32
44
8.3.1 File Menu
FIGURE 33
• Eject: opens a sub-menu that lets you safely disconnect selected storage volumes
• Share Media: enable this option to expose AV-HLC100’s default media folders
• Exit To Windows: close your live production session (current settings are retained), and
return to the Windows desktop
• Exit To Administration: close your live production session (current settings are retained), return
to the Windows desktop, and launch AV-HLC100’s Administration panel
• Shutdown: close your live production session and safely power the unit down
FIGURE 34
The Options menu allows you to set the AUX Video Default. AV-HLC100’s AUX video output is carried
by SDI Output 2, and also the AUX NDI output channel. Initially, this output duplicates the Program video
stream shown on the primary output.
Using either the user interface or integrated control surface, it is possible to toggle the display of any
single Switcher source on AUX. For example, you might want to send output from the STILLS player to
a projection system, to complement your main video presentation. When you toggle STILLS output to
AUX off again later, the video source for AUX automatically reverts to the default chosen in the Options
menu – either Program, or Preview (please note that when displayed on Aux, Preview is actually “Clean
Preview”, thus does not show any overlays).
45
8.3.3 Information Display
An information display in the center of the Dashboard at the top of the Dashboard posts useful information
of various kinds about AV-HLC100.
FIGURE 35
This display may show simple status updates, as in Figure 35; or the information displayed may alert you
to environmental conditions that are cautionary in some form, like the example in Figure 36.
FIGURE 36
Status messages may pertain to operations or system conditions; they may be benign notifications, as in
Figure 35 or cautionary (Figure 36). The display automatically clears itself a few moments later so as not
to pose an unnecessary distraction. Messages here are color coded (green, amber, and red) by
importance or severity. Generally, the high priority alerts indicate that remedial steps might be in order.
Hint: Press ALT+ b on the keyboard to display the installed AV-HLC100 software version.
As you would expect, your AV-HLC100 provides complete monitoring capabilities to help you control your
live productions. The monitoring section of the Live Desktop occupies by far the largest part of the
interface.
FIGURE 37
This area also provides access to input setup controls, audio VU ‘confidence’ meters, a large clock, and
also advanced options providing quality control and creative alternatives.
46
8.4.1 Program
The Program monitor could hardly be more important, hence it’s prominent default location at upper-left on the Live Desktop.
FIGURE 38
Normally, the Program monitor shows what AV-HLC100 is displaying to your principal viewing audience at any
moment. Thus it displays the BKGD video layer as well as any Overlay layers displayed above it (FTB, or ‘Fade
to Black’, constitutes a final, completely opaque video layer that completely hides all other output).
Note: By default, Program output is sent to both SDI 1, the primary NDI output channel, labeled “MIX
1”, and also the “AUX” NDI output.
Please notice that a semi-transparent red border surrounds the Program monitor. A similar red border is
shown around the viewport for any Switcher source that is currently visible on Program output. This is
referred to as ‘tally’ notification, which is also supplied to upstream NDI video sources that support tally,
and the hardware Tally port on AV-HLC100’s backplane (see Section 6.4).
The Live Desktop also prominently displays the Look Ahead Preview monitor (labeled simply Preview) at upper-right.
The Look Ahead Preview is versatile and powerful. Instead of showing just one video source (the Preview
row selection), it displays the final result of a Cut operation performed using the Control Surface.
• When BKGD is delegated, the Preview monitor will show the source selected on the Preview row on the Control Surface.
• Overlay layers are shown on Preview when they will be displayed after the next transition.
• When BKGD is not delegated on the Control Surface, that layer will not change during a transition
(initiated using the Control Surface). Consequently, in this case the Preview and Program
monitors share identical backgrounds.
Hint: The background video layer is always included in any Live Desktop transition, but the Control
Surface allows you to assign the CUT, AUTO and Fader lever controls independently to the background
layer, Overlay layers, or any combination of these, using the delegate buttons beside the fader lever.
47
Again, ‘what you see (on Preview) is what you will get’ – after performing the next Cut, Auto or Fader
lever operation. This lets you set up the next shot, check its composition (including TITLES and PiP
positioning), and switch to it with confidence. Note that the Preview monitor has a green tally border, and
a similar border is shown around the viewport for any Switcher source that is currently visible on Preview.
Ten source viewports complete the monitoring section of the Live Desktop.
8.4.3 Grab
*To grab an image from any viewport, simply move the mouse over the target viewport and click the
snapshot (camera) icon that is shown next to the source label immediately below the monitor.
* Requires the NewTek Streaming for AV-HLC100 plugin.
One final item completes our discussion of monitor viewports. When you move the mouse-pointer over a
viewport, a configuration gadget (gear) is shown at lower right above the viewport.
FIGURE 39
Clicking this gear, or double-clicking the viewport (above the label) opens the Input Configuration panel
for the corresponding Switcher input. We’ll cover configuring inputs in the next chapter.
FIGURE 40
In addition to features mentioned above, note that the viewport label shows an indicator when the
integrated Proc Amp is applied to modify the source’s color characteristics (Figure 40), and the CLIPS
player monitor displays a convenient timecode countdown.
48
Chapter 9 Configure Video Sources
The addition of NDI (Network Device Interface) support to its four
3G SDI and the HDMI input provides AV-HLC100 a full range of
input and output possibilities. Generally, an NDI source needs
little if any configuration, but traditional sources may require you
to choose between optional connection methods and settings.
Note: To receive NDI|HX sources, such as the output from NDI-
enabled Panasonic cameras, the NewTek NDI|HX driver for
Windows® must be installed on AV-HLC100.
These settings are provided in the Input Configuration panel for
each Switcher source. As mentioned in the previous chapter, a FIGURE 41
configuration gear is shown when you move the mouse-pointer
over a viewport. Clicking this gear, or double-clicking the
viewport (above the label) opens the Input Configuration panel
for the corresponding Switcher input.
Local Sources
FIGURE 42
FIGURE 43
Most of the local sources consist of the four hardware inputs found on the back of the system (Input 1
being shared between SDI and HDMI input ports). In addition, you will see an entry labeled Skype TX
Caller, which we will discuss later (see Appendix C).
49
Format
A UTO - DETECT
The Auto Detect option in the Format menu feature makes configuring SDI, HDMI and NDI sources easy.
Generally, you can simply connect a camera and see the signal immediately, without any need to set
resolution and framerate options.
Note: 1080/59.94p and 1080/50p formats are supported by SDI and NDI inputs only.
For SDI sources, however, you may occasionally need to manually select the format in certain cases.
The Format menu lists appropriate options for the current session video standard – PAL or NTSC.
Hint: All connected sources must conform to the current session’s video standard.
S UPPORTED F ORMATS
Other standard SDI and HDMI options are described below:
The standard definition options listed below are provided in both 4:3 and 16:9 versions:
480i, 16:9
50
480i, 4:3
*2576, 16:9
*2576, 4:3
*1 The ‘telecine’ option removes ‘2:3 pull-up’ in output from cameras claiming 24PsF but actually supplying video
at 30 fps (to make it suitable for 24P sessions).
Video Delay
The Video Delay setting can be very helpful in cases where upstream audio processing results in sound
arriving at AV-HLC100’s inputs ‘late’.
Low Bandwidth
FIGURE 44
The Low Bandwidth switch is shown for NDI sources, and allows you to request a lower quality signal.
You might use this option for inputs that aren’t needed at high resolution – for example a game clock
camera that you intend to show as a Picture in Picture overlay – or to reduce bandwidth requirements on
congested or slow networks.
51
9.1.2 Input Names
Often you will wish to replace the default Switcher input names like (INPUT 1, 2, etc.) with something
more descriptive. The Input Names group contains three editable text fields. The Video label is displayed
beneath viewports. The shorter Button label appears on Switcher buttons.
FIGURE 45
The longer Comment field can be used as a memo but, like the Video label, is also available as a DataLink
key for use in titling (see Section 12.2 and 7.1.3). Properly prepared title pages can use this to
automatically ‘pull in’ data from these fields from the information you enter here, allowing you to show
titles that properly identify their source every time.
PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom), or ‘robotic’ cameras are playing increasingly important roles in video production.
And AV-HLC100 is able to control multiple PTZ cameras across a network connection.
FIGURE 46
Connection controls shown in the PTZ group vary according to the Connection type you select from the
following two options:
• NDI – Choose this control connection option for NDI-enabled Panasonic cameras or other devices.
No other settings are required in this case.
• Panasonic – Choose this control connection option for Panasonic PTZ cameras supplying video
by SDI or HDMI video connections. Then continue to configure the device by entering values.
Choose your camera protocol using the drop-down menu. For NDI cameras, that is normally all you need
to do. To control connection to Panasonic cameras lacking NDI connectivity, you will also need to enter
the IP address for the unit.
52
FIGURE 47
There is an added benefit to the NDI camera connection method. When an NDI source is identified as
one that offers a webpage for settings, as cameras often do, a Configure button is added beside the
Source menu (Figure 47). Clicking this button will open the device webpage in AV-HLC100’s web browser,
allowing you to configure any advanced settings that may be provided.
Note: To receive NDI|HX sources, such as the output from NDI-enabled Panasonic cameras, the
NewTek NDI|HX driver for Windows® must be installed on AV-HLC100.
FIGURE 48
53
9.2.1 Manual Navigation
FIGURE 49
As set of manual Position, Zoom, Focus and Iris controls sits centrally just beneath the PTZ preset bin.
Drag the mouse on these to make manual adjustments. (The latter two items are supplemented by Auto
Focus and Auto Iris toggle switches just beneath.)
FIGURE 50
The large Preset Bin just above shows thumbnail icons for the first 24 of the camera’s PTZ presets (the
control surface provides access to up to 99 presets). Click a preset icon, and the camera will automatically
begin moving to the stored position.
1. Use the Position, Zoom and Focus controls to navigate to the desired camera angle, etc.
2. Then move the mouse over the preset icon you wish to store (or update), and click the Snapshot
(camera) gadget that pops up in the upper-right corner of the icon (Figure 50).
Hint: Hold Shift when clicking the Snapshot (camera) gadget to update the representative thumbnail
image without modifying the preset already stored in that slot.
Camera Settings
FIGURE 51
For Panasonic PTZ cameras, the White Balance menu offers AWA and AWB presets, along with 3200
and 5600 Kelvin options. (White Balance is a ‘global’ setting, and is not stored in camera presets. By
contrast, the Focus setting, and the state of its Auto switch are stored individually in each preset. This is
also true for the Iris setting, and its Auto switch.)
54
The Flip switch allows you to compensate when the camera is mounted in an inverted configuration. The
Pan, Tilt and Zoom switches below in the group labeled Invert allow you to reverse the direction of the
named control operations.
Pan, tilt, zoom control, and preset selection for connected robotic cameras are also directly supported on
the control surface. See Chapter 15, Control Surface for details.
FIGURE 52
AV-HLC100 provides extensive color control processing options for every video source. These are hosted
in the Color tab of the Input Configuration panel.
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9.3.1 Auto Color
Lighting conditions can change dramatically during many live events, especially those held outdoors.
Adding to this problem, production usually involves multiple cameras and, all too often, these may not
have uniform color characteristics. Ensuring consistent color when switching from one angle to another,
avoiding unwelcome brightness or color shifts as evening falls or when a cloud obscures the sun briefly
can be troublesome, and expensive.
To help you overcome these problems, the Auto Color feature updates the color characteristics of your
video sources as lighting conditions vary. In many cases, simply enabling the Auto Color switch is all it
takes to produce a show that looks amazingly consistent.
Multicam
By default, each camera with Auto Color enabled is processed uniquely – without reference to other
sources. Often, though, even greater consistency can be achieved by treating sources in similar
illumination environments as a group. Enable Multicam for several cameras causes Auto Color to
evaluate and adjust these cameras in unison. You might, for example, enable Multicam for court-side
cameras in an interior sports venue, while treating exterior or studio feeds individually.
Listen Only
The Listen Only switch allows you to include a source in the Multicam group without adding its own feed
to the group evaluation. Thus a camera trained on a giant purple dinosaur can be automatically corrected
without disproportionately biasing the group evaluation and consequent Auto Color correction.
Alternatively, one might enable Multicam for a number of sources, turning Listen Only on for all but one
camera – effectively making that camera the color reference all other cameras in the group will follow.
Note: The Proc Amp, discussed next, is downstream of the Auto Color system. This allows you to apply
further manual color adjustments to your individual sources, whether for fine tuning or to achieve a
specific “look”.
FIGURE 53
A switch at the top of the Proc Amp control group toggles the feature on/off. Other controls operate as
follows:
56
• Brightness: Adjustment range from -50 to +50 IRE (the default being 0). As reference, the full
luminance range of the visible portion of a video signal can be thought of as ‘100 IRE units’ (named
for the Institute of Radio Engineers) – ignoring minor regional variations.
• Hue – Adjustment range between -180° and +180°. Adjusts the master color of the video signal from
the attached source, swinging the entire image through the color wheel’s spectrum.
• Saturation – Adjustment range from 0-500%. Zero saturation results in a ‘black and white’ picture;
increased saturation results in richer colors. High saturation values can exaggerate the color portion
of the signal.
(Note that over-saturated colors are considered illegal for broadcast transmission, and may result in
display problems on some devices.)
Hint: Proc Amp adjustments are also applied after LiveMatte is processed, which can help when
composing greenscreen shots to match a background or LiveSet.
• White Balance – to automatically white balance, click and hold the mouse button on the Color well,
and then slide the ‘eyedropper’ pointer onto the monitor for the corresponding source. Release the
mouse button over a part of the image that should appear as white after processing.
FIGURE 54
This secondary control group is revealed when you click the triangle gadget beside its label.
In addition to per color channel (RGB) Brightness and Contrast sliders, it adds U Offset and V Offset
controls.
• The U portion of the video signal carries blue and yellow color information. Rotating the U Offset knob
clockwise shifts the signal toward blue, while a counter-clockwise twist shifts the signal toward yellow.
• The V portion of the video signal carries red and green color information. Rotate V Offset clockwise
to shift the signal toward red and counter-clockwise to shift the signal toward green.
57
Chapter 10 Switcher and Overlays
FIGURE 55
The bottom band of the Live Desktop, below the monitoring section, is host to the Switcher and related
controls and features, including the Overlay Controls (Figure 55).
FIGURE 56
AV-HLC100 uses a quick and convenient single-row Switcher (Figure 56) to accomplish operations that
would otherwise take at least two steps using the Control Surface.
Thus a single click on a Switcher button thus does several things as follows:
• The clicked source is assigned to AV-HLC100’s internal ‘Preview’ row (associated audio sources
may also be affected by Switcher activity – see Section 13.8.4).
The Switcher row can also be used to determine what video source is sent to the AUX video bus (carried
by the SDI 2 and the AUX NDI outputs).
As noted in Section 8.3.2, the default source can be either Program or (clean)Preview. However, by
holding down ALT on the keyboard while punching a Switcher row button, any Switcher source can be
sent to AUX instead. An AUX tag is added to the Switcher display to identify the selected source. To
revert to the default AUX source, roll the mouse over this tag and click the (x) gadget that it shows.
58
10.1.2 Understanding Video Layers
Although AV-HLC100’s internal Progam and Preview busses are not independently depicted in the Live
Desktop, they can be seen (and controlled) on the Control Surface. We mention them here to help you
understand how a number of video layers contribute to your ultimate program output.
o The Background (also refered to as “BKGD”) video layer is the bottom-most layer of the
final composition ultimately sent to AV-HLC100’s Program output.
o This layer comprises the current blend of two primary video layers, Program and Preview.
The Program row selection determines the dominant source of the Background
layer
The Preview row selection determines which source is queued up for display in the
Background layer by the next transition.
o During a transition, the Background layer includes increasing greater portions of the
incoming Preview row video source until eventually, the outgoing source is completely
removed from output (having been swapped into the place of the former Preview row
selection).
• Overlay Layers
o Overlay layers (also called “downstream keys” may or may not appear above (or, if you
like, in front of) the Background layer. Overlay layers are typically used for overlaying
graphics and titles, etc., though they may serve other purposes as well.
o AV-HLC100 really provides three Overlay layers (only the first two are shown in the Live
Desktop):
Picture in Picture – This layer normally serves to let you display another video or
media source as a Picture in Picture (PiP) element over your Program output.
Fade to Black (FTB) – FTB constitutes a final overlay layer – one that obscures all
other layers when applied. FTB is controlled by the Control Surface.
• Program Program
BKGD PiP Titles FTB
• Preview Out
59
Section 10.2 Switcher Transitions
FIGURE 57
As mentioned above, clicking a Switcher button performs the Background layer transition designated by
the Transition mode controls at right (Figure 57). This area shows two transition thumbnail icons.
The first, at left, is labeled Cut. When Cut mode is active, as indicated by a blue border around its icon,
AV-HLC100 immediately cuts to any source you click in the Switcher row. The second icon in the
Transition mode control group represents a more elaborate transition. When this icon is selected (has a
blue border), the transition shown is applied when you make Switcher selections.
10.2.1 Presets
Roll the mouse pointer over this second icon and you will see a gear gadget overlaid on it. Click the gear
to open a transition preset bin that provides quick access to eight different effects (Figure 58).
FIGURE 58
You can click one of the preset icons to select it as the current Transition mode effect, and adjust its
speed using the controls below. Subsequently, clicking a Switcher button will use the transition you chose.
Note that the name of the effect in each of the eight preset slots is shown when the mouse is over its
icon. The first preset is permanently assigned to Fade, for convenience, but the others can each be
replaced by any of the hundreds of transition effects provided on AV-HLC100. To assign a different effect
to a preset slot, click the + sign that appears at upper right above the icon when the mouse pointer is
over it. This opens AV-HLC100’s Media Browser (the Media Browser is discussed in Section 11.1.3).
10.2.2 Duration
Transition durations are stored on a ‘per slot’ basis, using the Slow, Medium, Fast buttons at the bottom
of the preset bin, or using the numeric duration control at right. You can set the speed using this control’s
menu, or drag the mouse pointer left or right over the numeric display, or by direct keyboard entry into it.
60
The Duration menu for the Background transition offers two additional options:
• Reverse – configures the current transition to run in reverse direction the next time it is applied.
• Ping Pong – when enabled, this option causes the direction of the transition to be automatically
swapped after each time it is applied.
Two Overlay layer controls labeled PiP and Titles occupy the right-most, area of the Switcher control
area.
FIGURE 59
The Overlay images shown here (Figure 59) are actually live video viewports showing the current video
layer for the different modules. Clicking this live viewport will hide or display the layer, using the transition
effect represented by the icon and label below (a progress meter shown behind the transition label
informs you of the current visibility state of the layer).
Each Overlay layer has its own transition effect. Similar to the Transition mode controls for the Switcher,
click the transition icon below an Overlay viewport to reveal a transition preset bin. Click an entry in the
palette to select it, or move the mouse pointer to the “+” sign that pops up for each icon and click to open
AV-HLC100’s Media Browser.
In the Media Browser, you can choose from the hundreds of transition effects included with AV-HLC100,
including colorful Animation Store effects (the Media Browser is discussed in Section 11.1.3). The
selected effect will replace the current one in the preset bin.
Hint: The direction of Transitions applied as Overlay layer effects automatically alternates. If the first
click displays the layer using an effect, the next click removes it using the reverse effect. This ‘Ping
Pong’ behavior is optional for Background layer transitions.
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10.3.2 Positioning
FIGURE 60
Position Tab
The Positioning panel is organized into tabs. The first, Position, includes Position, Zoom, and Rotation controls.
All Position settings can be toggled on and off together using the switch provided.
• Click and drag on the Position button to relocate the PiP layer vertically or horizontally within the
frame. Dragging left or right directly on either of the two nearby numeric controls adjusts the
position on a single axis only.
Hint: You can also constrain mouse actions to one axis by holding down the Ctrl key before dragging.
• Dragging the cursor on the Zoom button (magnifying glass) Overlay layers are automatically
affects the apparent size of the overlay. shown on the Preview monitors
Again, if you drag just one of the associated numeric gadgets when the Position panel is open.
you can adjust the corresponding layer in one dimension–
This allows you to adjust
width or height.
positioning without the result
• In similar fashion, drag the pointer over the Rotation button being inadvertently shown on
with the left mouse button depressed to turn the overlay output.
source on three axes as follows:
o Drag left/right to rotate the source about the Y
(vertical) axis.
o Drag up/down to rotate about the X (horizontal) axis.
o Drag while holding Alt down to rotate about the Z axis.
o Drag on a single numeric slider, or hold down Ctrl to constrain rotation to one axis.
Hint: If you click a numeric field (or right-click it), you can type a value into the gadget using the
keyboard; press Enter to complete the editing action, or Esc to cancel it.
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Edges
The Edges tab controls are similar to those just described, but allow you to crop the Picture in Picture
layer overlay (only).
Hint: As for most similar controls, individual Edges settings can be reset to their default values by
double-clicking with the Shift key held down. Restore default settings to all parameters of the Position
or Edges tabs by clicking Reset.
Sources assigned to Overlays are often partially transparent. Items in the CLIPS playlist file can include
an embedded alpha channel, as can NDI sources and title pages.
In all of these cases, Overlay layers automatically respect the transparency channel supplied by the
source. The Background layer will appear through or around sources with transparency as appropriate.
Important Note: Use files with straight (a.k.a. “non-premultiplied”) alpha channels in the CLIPS players.
Premultiplied files will generally not yield correct results when overlaid on other imagery.
The PiP layer offers a lot of creative possibilities. Beyond the obvious, it can serve to display a station ID
‘bug’ or company logo, to add a ‘spinning globe’ animation playing in CLIPS, or many other purposes.
Normally, clicking a Switcher source only transitions the Background layer. You might, however, wish to
configure AV-HLC100 to automatically show a title page when the Background layer transition occurs.
To delegate an Overlay layer to transition simultaneously with the Background layer, simply click the
Overlay layer label (PiP or Titles) above the small viewport for the layer. The label button for the
corresponding Overlay layer will turn blue, and a blue border will surround its viewport. The next time you
click a Switcher button, the Overlay transition and Background transition will both be initiated at the same
time.
Hint: The Look Ahead Preview monitor respects your Overlay delegate selections, allowing you to
configure layers for upcoming switcher operations with great confidence.
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Chapter 11 Media Players
AV-HLC100 includes two internal Media Players, referred to as CLIP and STILL players.
These names of these players gives you an idea what different media types they are designed for:
• The CLIP player is designed to display video clips – including long format ‘movies’. It can also
play audio files.
• The STILL player is provided to show image files such as photos, graphics, etc.
Note: The video and audio file formats supported by the Media Players are extended by installing the
optional NewTek Streaming for AV-HLC100 plugin.
The content of AV-HLC100’s internal Media Players is organized in a storyboard-style playlist, shown in
a tab in its Input Configuration panel (Figure 61).
Hint: As a reminder, open this panel by clicking the gear that is shown when you move the mouse
over the CLIP or STILL viewport in the monitoring section of the Live Desktop.
FIGURE 61
Hint: During playback, selection status is independent of the clip playing. Selected items have a white
border in the Playlist pane.
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11.1.1 File Operations
A scrollbar at right accommodates long playlists when necessary. Icons in the playlist can be re-ordered
quickly and easily using familiar drag and drop techniques. The playlist can even be altered during
playback (of course, if the currently playing item is removed, playback stops immediately).
An Alias (by default, the item’s filename) is displayed below the icon. Items in the CLIP player playlist also show
their duration. Clicking an item in the playlist selects it. Standard Shift + click and Ctrl + click multi-selection
operations are supported, and all selected items are denoted by a white border around their icon.
• Click the large + (Add Media) button at left beneath the playlist pane to open the Media Browser (see
Section 11.1.3). Alternatively, double-click in an empty part of the Playlist pane.
• Right-click in the playlist pane to show a menu with context-relevant items from the following list
(operations affect selected playlist items):
o Cut
o Copy
o Paste
o Remove
o Properties
• Standard Cut, Copy, Paste and Delete keystrokes are supported for playlist entries.
• Un-playable (missing, corrupt, or unsupported) file icons are dimmed.
Hint: Multi-selection is supported for most operations, including Set Duration (applies to Still and Title only).
Most of the clip context menu items are self-explanatory, but let’s talk about one of them in just a bit more detail.
11.1.2 Properties
Display Name
Comment
Hint: Both the Display Name and Comment box content for the selected clip are available as
DataLink keys, which can in turn be served to live title pages. See Section 7.1.3 and Section 12.2.
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Alpha Channel Support
For files with transparency such as 32bit image files, use non-premultiplied (or ‘straight’) alpha channels.
Premultiplied files will not give the correct results when overlaid on other imagery.
Location List
A list of sub-headings may appear under each main heading in the Location List. When you select a sub-
heading, the right hand pane – the File Pane – is populated.
Browse
Clicking Browse opens a standard system file explorer, rather than the custom Media Browser.
Hint: To jump to the standard system file explorer (rather than the custom Media Browser) from a Media
Player, hold keyboard Shift while clicking the Add button.
File Pane
Icons appearing in the File Pane represent content located inside the sub-heading selected at left in the
Locations List. These are grouped under horizontal dividers named for sub-folders, which allows related
content to be organized conveniently.
File Filters
The File Pane view is filtered to show only relevant content. For example, when selecting Titles, the
browser only shows Title page files (.cgxml).
FIGURE 64
66
An additional filter appears above the File Pane. This filter quickly locates files matching criteria you enter,
doing so even as you type. For example, if you enter “PNG” into the filter field, the File Pane displays all
content at the current location with that string as part of its filename. This would include any file with the
extension “.PNG” (a Portable Network Graphic formatted image file), but also “PNGirl.jpg”.
Right-click on a file icon in the right-hand pane to show a menu providing Rename and Delete options.
Be aware that Delete really does remove content from your hard drive. (This menu is not shown if the
item is write-protected.)
FIGURE 65
A simple set of controls beneath the Playlist pane provides playback-related functions:
Loop
FIGURE 66
Enabling the circular Loop gadget repeats playback of the item continuously.
Autoplay
When enabled, the Autoplay switch has several important effects. First, it initiates playback automatically
when the associated Media Player is placed on Program by a Switcher operation either directly or by
being displayed via an Overlay operation.
Second, if player output is displayed on Program, the reverse Switcher transition occurs automatically as
the end of play approaches. Then the playhead position advances to the next item in the Playlist after
playback is automatically stopped.
Note: Unlike Switcher transitions, the Overlay ‘out’ effect does not occur automatically as the end of
play approaches.
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Chapter 12 Title Editor
We discussed the use of the Overlay layers, including the Title overlay, back in Section 10.3. AV-
HLC100’s Title overlay feature is resident full-time on the Live Desktop. In this chapter we will concentrate
on managing and editing titles. The integrated Title Editor is a vital part of this feature.
FIGURE 67
Open AV-HLC100’s Title Editor by clicking the gear icon that appears at lower-right
when you move the mouse over the Title viewport at right in Switcher section of the
FIGURE 68
Live Desktop (Figure 68).
Hint: This panel can be re-sized by dragging its lower-right corner, and re-positioned by dragging the
titlebar.
Opening the pop-up Title Editor during display is permitted, allowing you to modify title pages during live
production (changes are shown immediately). When you move the mouse pointer over editable text in
the Title Page Editor’s preview, a white bounding-box surrounds the text. If you click inside the box the
text object is selected and a text edit field is shown.
Press Enter or click outside the box to complete editing operations, or press Tab to advance to next entry
field (press Shift + Tab instead to jump to the prior text field).
Hint: A red line under a character or word indicates the spell-checker is questioning its spelling. Right
click the word to open a menu suggesting alternatives. Click any entries shown if you wish to update
the original.
Note that the cursor keys – that is, the left/right and up/down arrows – can also be used to navigate in
and between text fields on the current title page.
Hint: Selected text can be ‘nudged’ a pixel at a time using ALT + the keyboard arrow keys. If you hold
down both SHIFT and ALT, the arrow keys move the text object in five pixels increments.
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Section 12.1 Edit tab
The Title Editor has two tabs, labeled Edit and Position. The controls in the latter tab are identical to those
discussed under the heading Position Tab in Section 10.3.2. In this chapter, we will concentrate on the Edit tab.
FIGURE 69
The header of the Title Editor holds an assortment of text attribute controls. These include a Font selector
menu, numeric Size control, and Bold, Italic, Underline and ‘ALLCAPS’ switches.
As you would expect, clicking Load opens AV-HLC100s Media Browser allowing you to select a title
template. Clear removes the current page.
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This menu also allows you to open the Image Properties panel (Figure 71).
FIGURE 71
This dialog provides the same set of Fill Mode options, but adds an Image Source box supporting direct
entry of the path to an image file. The Image Source box comes into play in connection with the next
topic, DataLink.
FIGURE 72
Both text and images on title pages accept DataLink keys as input. The Title Editor indicates which entry
boxes accept DataLink keys by showing a custom mouse pointer (%DL). To make key entry faster,
available DataLink keys are listed in a drop-down menu as soon as you enter a % sign into a text entry
box (key names are in the format %key name%). If you continue typing, the list shown is filtered to show
only relevant key names.
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A line of text or image on a title page that has been set to a key name will be automatically replaced by
the current value assigned to that key when the page is displayed.
There are endless uses for this technology, and a wealth of methods to provide and update the values
assigned to DataLink keys. For one example, refer to the heading Title Pages and DataLink in Section
7.1.3. See also Section 11.1.2 to see how DataLink can draw on metadata you enter for video clips to
automatically update title page values. You can also take advantage of the DataLink extension for the
popular Chrome web browser, which makes it easy to populate title pages across the network from a
browser running on virtually any platform.
FIGURE 73
The Presets control at top-right in the Title Editor pops up a bin with 8 preset slots.
When you move the mouse over a preset slot, a Snapshot (camera) gadget is shown.
Clicking this gadget stores the current title page, including any settings applied in the
Position panel. Right-click to Clear or Update the preset using the context menu.
A similar preset gadget appears in the header label of the Titles Overlay control in
the Switcher. Clicking it opens the preset bin, to permit you to quickly change from
one preset to the next during production. FIGURE 74
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Chapter 13 Audio
External audio connections and basic configuration were introduced in Sections 6.2.1 and 6.3.1. AV-HLC100
presents precise control over individual audio sources and outputs in a graphical Audio Mixer panel (Figure
75).
FIGURE 75
To open the Audio Mixer, click the button with the same name in the Dashboard at the top of the Live
Desktop.
Compact sub-panels in this pane provide configuration and control for individual audio sources and also
audio outputs as follows, from left to right:
AV-HLC100’s stereo analog output connections carry the first two channels of the Master audio mix.
AV-HLC100’s analog audio conforms to SMPTE RP-155. The maximum input/output level is +24 dBu.
Nominal input level is +4 dBu (-20 dBFS), and the sample rate is 48 kHz. Levels above 0 dBVU are
shown in red in the VU meters, to caution you that overly high levels can result in clipping in recordings.
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Section 13.2 Headphones
At the extreme left side of the Audio Mixer you will observe a simple volume control
for the Headphones output. By default, headphones connected to this stereo output
jack will carry the first two channels of the audio signal from the bus designated
Master – that is, the same audio carried by analog outputs marked 1 and 2 in the
AUDIO OUT group on the unit’s backplane.
FIGURE 76
Remember that the Headphone output is also affected by Solo switches located at
the bottom of each control group in the Audio Mixer. When Solo is enabled for one or more sources, only
the soloed sources are sent to the connector. (See Solo in Section 13.7.2 for more information on this
feature.)
VU (Volume Unit) meters are located right above the Volume control sliders throughout the Mixer. The
calibration of the VU meters can be changed to suit your preference. Click the label below the Headphone
control at left to open a small menu offering three options as follows:
• dBFS : dB ‘Full Scale’ – the digital standard; see notes under the heading Audio
Headroom in Section 6.9
• dBU : based on a voltage of 0.775 VRMS (a shy scale rarely seen in public, supplied
for completeness, comparison, and the amusement of audiophiles)
Columns in the first set of control groups are numbered as Input 1-8. Each of these can be assigned to
any audio source available – whether analog (line level) sound supplied to rear panel connectors, SDI or
HDMI embedded audio from one of the backplane video inputs, or any available network audio source.
FIGURE 77
To access the Connection menu, move the cursor into the label of an input, and click the Configure (gear)
button that appears just at right. The Advanced Audio Configuration panel (Figure 77) will be shown. The
drop-down Connection menu at the top of this pane allows the selection of one of the supported sources:
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You may choose to think of these audio sources as being associated with the same-numbered video
inputs in the nearby rows on the rear connector panel. This notional linkage is not strictly enforced,
however.
You can connect directly to any external audio source in the Advanced Configuration panel. Also, for
reasons of your own, you may well prefer to treat various audio sources as independent of the nominally
associated video input.
Naturally, only one connection can be active for a given audio input at any moment. To access the
Connection menu, move the cursor into the label of an input, and click the Configure (gear) button that
appears just at right. The Advanced Audio Configuration panel will be shown. The drop-down Connection
menu at the top of this pane allows the selection of one of the supported sources.
For most Inputs 1-8, the connection type control at right defaults to either Auto-Detect (or Embedded in
Video), providing automatic detection of sound from HDMI, SDI and NDI video sources. To connect to
the analog audio input connectors, instead, select Input 2 and then choose the Line option from this menu.
The default Connection option for external Audio Mixer inputs is Follow Video Source. When one of AV-
HLC100’s video inputs is assigned to the Skype TX Caller source, the audio control group is thus
automatically assigned to govern incoming audio from that remote Skype caller by default.
Note: It is not necessary to configure a special audio ‘mix minus’ to serve as the return sound for the
remote Skype caller. AV-HLC100 handles this automatically, ensuring that (except when the TalkBack
feature is engaged) the remote caller receives a special mix comprised of the Master mix with the
remote caller’s sound removed.
The Audio Mixer input labeled TALKBACK serves a special purpose, providing a way to converse with
remote Skype TX Callers off-air (i.e., without intruding into your live program). You can choose what
audio source to supply for TalkBack purposes from a variety of input types, as discussed in the previous
sections.
As mentioned earlier, the default Connection option for an external Audio Mixer input assigned to a Skype
TX channel allows the corresponding controls to govern audio from the remote Skype caller. In this case
(that is, when an audio control is ‘listening’ to a Skype TX channel), a new button labeled TALK is added
beside the group’s SOLO button.
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FIGURE 78
When the TALK button is lit, audio you supply via the TALKBACK input (perhaps sound from the 1/8”
motherboard audio input) is sent to the remote caller, temporarily replacing the normal mix-minus sound
that remote caller would otherwise hear. At the same time, AV-HLC100 sends the incoming sound from
the remote Skype caller to its Headphone output, enabling you to have a two way conversation off-air.
Note: You’ll want to take steps (such as by enabling Mute, or perhaps Follow Program Video) to prevent
sound from the Skype caller being sent to your live audio mix during TalkBack conversations.
Many important features and optional settings are common to most source types, and some even appear
for outputs. Let’s review these before continuing.
13.7.1 Mute
Mute switches for inputs and outputs appear as ‘speaker’ icons located just above in the main Mixer
panel. A single switch controls multiple channels, as appropriate for that source. Enabling Mute removes
the sound from that source from all downstream audio mixes and outputs.
Hint: Muted sources still show signal activity on the VU meters, but levels are drawn in gray rather than
full color. This is also true for sources with Follow set that are not currently audible on output.
13.7.2 Solo
Solo implementations and options vary widely in the audio industry, but broadly speaking, they provide several
very useful functions. The Solo feature offers remarkable flexibility without overly confusing complexity.
Enabling Solo for a source sends its (post-fader) sound to the Headphones output, and removes
all other sources from that output.
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The Solo feature is normally operates as what it often called ‘exclusive Solo’ (or ‘X-Or’ type). This
means that enabling Solo for a given source disables all other Solo buttons.
It is possible to use what is called ‘Solo latching’, ganging multiple sources for Solo output. Hold
down the Ctrl key and click additional Solo buttons to add or remove their respective audio
contributions from the latched Solo group.
It can be very useful to be able to preview one or more audio sources, doing so without allowing the test
sound to be audible on Program output. Typically, this need arises in connection with testing microphones
or other audio sources that will be used in the production.
Video and audio-only files in the CLIP player playlist may contain audio. At most, the CLIP player outputs
the first four audio channels – additional embedded channels are ignored. Other options and controls in
these sub-panels are similar to those provided for external audio sources.
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E.g., many cameras support simultaneous digital and analog audio output. In-camera processing can
delay digital a/v output, resulting in analog audio output actually leading the digital output by a
meaningful measure.
13.8.2 Pan
FIGURE 80
The Audio Configuration panel also provides Pan control. Pan is a very useful feature; it adjusts
placement of sound from source audio channels on the stereo channels comprising the audio mix(es).
Using Pan, you can place all or part of channel 1 onto channel 2, and vice versa. When Pan is set to the
extreme left position for channel 1, its audio is sent exclusively to the first channel for the Input 1 group.
Centering the Pan knob labeled 1 splits the sound from Input 1 equally onto channels 1 and 2.
Sliding Pan for channel 1 all the way to the right results in that source only being audible on channel 2,
removing it completely from its original channel. Pan also modulates the sound levels on the left and right
channels so that the overall volume neither rises nor drops as a result of adjustments.
Hint: “Pan” is not the same as “Balance”. The balance control in a stereo system varies the relative
level of the left and right channels, but sound from the left channel will never come out of the right
speaker, or vice versa (Pan does permit this).
13.8.3 Processing
The second tab in Audio Configuration is named Processing, and likewise holds very valuable features.
Equalizer
The seven-band equalizer allows you to ‘shape’ sound to taste, accommodate sources with different
acoustic characteristics (say, mismatched mics), minimize feedback or roll off unwanted parts of the audio
spectrum.
Enable or disable the Equalizer using the switch beside the label above its control group. The vertical
sliders attenuate or boost the tonal range centered on the frequency shown at the top.
The effect applied falls off gradually as sound draws closer to neighboring frequencies on either side.
Click Reset to return all sliders to 0 dB.
Hint: Naturally, reducing or increasing the level of one or more tonal bands affects the overall output
level as well. This may call for you to trim the main level setting for the affected input or output.
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Compressor … Limiter – what’s
the difference, anyway?
FIGURE 81
Compressor Limiter
The Compressor/Limiter is capable of preventing clipping (see Section 13.9.1) from unexpected peaks
or transients, and making talent sound better than they do in real life, bringing voices, music and other
audio sources into an optimal dynamic range. Being able to do this independently for each output too is
icing on the cake, especially for Internet streaming, as it ensures correct levels at any time.
T HRESHOLD
Sound above the set Threshold level will be compressed; the amount of compression and the manner in
which it is applied are both dictated by the other settings.
R ATIO
A Ratio of 4:1 means that if input level is 4 dB over the threshold, the output signal level after compression
will be just 1 dB over the threshold. The gain (level) is reduced by 3 dB. Very high ratio settings are the
reason the word “limiter” is part of the title for this feature. The highest ratio setting will effectively reduce
any signal that would rise above the threshold all the way down to the threshold level (with the exception
of a brief period during a sudden increase in source loudness, as dictated by the Attack setting).
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A TTACK
Attack (like Release) is labeled in milliseconds. The setting represents the amount of time it takes for the
gain to change by a specified amount. It would not be grossly incorrect to think of this setting as changing
the slope of a graph depicting how aggressively the compressor pursues the target value (defined by
applying the Ratio setting to the amount the signal surpasses the Threshold). Shorter values are more
aggressive, while longer values are more subtle (and tend to be less noticeable to the audience).
R ELEASE
Release is similar to Attack in many ways, but refers instead to the speed with which the compression
effect is removed as a source signal falls back on its own so that it no longer exceeds the Threshold.
G AIN
Naturally, compression impacts the overall output level of the source or output. The Gain control allows
you to compensate, bringing the post-compressor/limiter signal back to a comfortable nominal range.
Hint: Different circumstances call for different Attack and Release strategies. For example, much less
aggressive settings could work nicely for vocals, but fail badly when applied to a snare drum. Many
websites provide suggestions on establishing the best compressor/limiter settings for different
environments.
Noise Gate
The Audio Mixer’s advanced options panel also include a configurable Noise Gate for each audio source,
as well as all outputs. This lets you ensure that unwanted low-level sounds are prevented from
inadvertently intruding into the mix.
13.8.4 Automation
FIGURE 82
Enabling Follow Program Video options for an audio source directs it to track switcher operations affecting
the related video source. Audio for sources with Follow Program video enabled in the Audio Configuration
panel is automatically removed from mixed outputs until one or more specified video sources are actually
displayed on Program Output.
Hint: When the corresponding video source is not displayed on output, the audio source’s VU meter
level is displayed as a grayscale.
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Section 13.9 Output Control
MASTER audio output is represented by its own control group in the Audio, and regulates sound sent to
both physical AUDIO OUT connectors and the MIX and AUX NDI video outputs.
Hint: Shift + double click Volume knobs to restore their default values (0 dB).
In digital audio systems, signal levels that exceed maximum values are uniformly assigned the maximum
value, a condition known as “clipping”. Clipping inevitably results in annoying audible issues. Worse,
over-modulation that may not be apparent while listening during live production may nonetheless appear
in recorded files. This is often true even when levels appear to be below the ceiling level (0 dBFS, the
maximum allowable digital level).
Hint: AV-HLC100 notifies you when clipping has occurred by temporarily turning the Audio Mixer label
for the problem channel red.
Due to this problem, digital audio system designs customarily allow substantial ‘headroom’ above the
benchmark ‘alignment level’, making over-modulation much less likely. Often this allowance seems high
to those familiar with analog audio systems; headroom levels between 18 and 24 dB are not uncommon
in professional digital audio realms.
AV-HLC100’s Record level defaults to -20 dBFS (set in the Record Configuration panel), approximating
typical professional practice. This has no impact on levels at the system’s audio outputs, but all but
ensures clipping in recorded files will be avoided. Advanced users can thus record files conforming to
regional standards or personal preference, substantially reduce the possibility of audio clipping in
recorded files, and even adjust the level on the fly if necessary.
The main point to remember from all of this is that for digital audio recording “less is often more”. When
it comes to levels, by all means go as high as necessary – but it’s equally practical to go no higher than
necessary.
Hint: The Audio Mixer also provides Compressor/Limiters for each input and output. These can also
be invaluable in defeating clipping due to over-modulation.
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Chapter 14 Stream/Record
Important Note: All features and capabilities discussed in this chapter require the installation of the
NewTek Streaming for AV-HLC100 plugin.
FIGURE 83
3. “Do you want to download and install this plugin?” appears in a pop-up screen. Click the
Download button (Figure 84).
FIGURE 84
A dialog box pops up, and “Please wait...” is displayed and the installation process is performed
(Figure 85).
FIGURE 85
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4. When “A restart will be needed for full plugin functionality.” appears on the screen, the installation
is finished. Click the Close button to close the screen (Figure 86).
FIGURE 86
5. Restart the live operation GUI screen. You can now use the grab and stream/record functions.
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Section 14.2 Overview
Important Note: All features and capabilities discussed in this chapter require the installation of the
NewTek Streaming for AV-HLC100 plugin.
Encoding for a/v streaming and other purposes involves a wide variety of attributes. At times, too, account
login details are required for your streaming service or CDN (Content Delivery Network).
Further, you may maintain multiple streaming service accounts for different purposes, as well. In addition,
you may capture encoded video files for other purposes.
FIGURE 87
AV-HLC100’s Streaming Configuration panel supports the creation and configuration of all of the
information and settings you are likely to need in this context. To open the Streaming Configuration panel
(Figure 87), click the Configure button (gear) at right of the Dashboard’s large STREAM/RECORD button.
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Section 14.3 Encoder Configuration
FIGURE 88
Settings for the encoder are configured in the Configure Encoder dialog (Figure 88). Open this dialog by
clicking the configuration (gear) icon labeled Encoding at left in the header of the Streaming Configuration
panel. Select an encoder Preset (such as Medium or High), or manually configure custom settings using
controls in the Video and Audio control groups below, and click OK.
The information for a given CDN (Content Delivery Network) or other encoder target is also retained in a
preset. New presets are added to the main Streaming Configuration panel using the New Preset menu
at left in the footer of the panel.
Hint: A default File Capture preset allows you to capture output from either encoder to a file.
84
Checkboxes beside each entry you add to the Streaming Configuration preset list allow you to toggle
streaming output from the Encoder to the preset at right.
FIGURE 89
If you move the mouse pointer over a Preset, two new gadgets are shown at right (Figure 89). Click the
familiar Configure gear to open a suitable dialog. It may invite you to enter your account credentials for
a site and Sign In, or provide suitable controls for other relevant settings that are required. Or, for a File
Capture preset, you can choose the path for encoded file output.
Not surprisingly, clicking the little (x) gadget instead will delete the Preset.
FIGURE 90
In addition to the many recognizable names listed in the New Preset menu, you will observe a menu item
labeled Custom. The dialog this selection opens allows you to enter the details typically required by
generic streaming services.
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14.4.2 Record (File Capture)
Recording program output really simply involves archiving your live stream file as it is created by the
encoder. Simply configure and check-mark a File Capture preset for this purpose.
FIGURE 91
The Web Browser button in the header of the Streaming Configuration panel does what you would expect,
opening a web browser. This feature is provided for your convenience when working with web streams
or your content delivery network account. We do not recommend general purpose web surfing during live
operations.
Hint: If the web browser is hidden from view because a Live Desktop operation took precedence, you
can re-use this button to bring the browser window to the front again.
When you are ready, initiate streaming to the Preset targets you have check-marked in the Streaming
Configuration panel by clicking the STREAM/RECORD button in the Dashboard at the top of the Live
Desktop panel.
One of the best approaches when beginning (to stream your productions) is to establish a relationship
with a commercial streaming media provider. A good provider can guide you past firewalls, provide public
addresses for everyone to view your stream, and provide no end of valuable guidance.
And it may not be as expensive as you think (costs vary based on considerations such as how many
viewers you expect, how much web bandwidth you use each month, and so-on). Some services based
on an advertising model will even host your stream free.
Not all ‘streaming’ is ‘live streaming.’ The difference is similar to i) watching a television program you
previously recorded at a time convenient for you, or ii) watching a live event.
On demand streams are stored on a server (often supplied by an external service provider), ready to be
transmitted whenever a viewer wishes. Live streams are available at the time they are broadcast, such
as during a live concert or event (some CDNs blur the boundaries between live streaming and VOD by
offering DVR-style pause and rewind features).
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On Demand Hosting
As noted in Section 14.4.2, and when the NewTek Streaming for AV-HLC100 plugin is installed, AV-
HLC100 permits you to record live productions to local storage. The resulting files can be hosted on a
network later, so viewers can connect whenever they like. If you have the resources available, you can
host the video yourself – but if many people will likely want to view your production, you will likely avail
yourself of a service to stream it on your behalf.
Ideally, ‘on demand’ streaming video begins to play on request after a few moments. (Letting the stream get
a bit ahead of the client playback device is called ‘buffering’, and helps ensure smooth playback). This stands
in contrast to other types of online video distribution which requires the viewer to completely download the
video file before he can begin play. Given a sufficiently high speed connection between host and viewer, they
may well be able to enjoy a seamless viewing experience without stuttering or other issues.
Live Streaming
Live streaming is a growing international market, and one you may well wish to serve. This form of streaming
is a somewhat more demanding implementation. Rather than record a file and deal with it later, live video
is transmitted over the network (in ‘near realtime’ - give or take a little time ‘in the pipe’, as it were.)
Delivering a good quality stream requires that you consider both your network connection capabilities
and that of your viewers. As well, to ensure reliable delivery, you will ideally have some idea of the size
of your audience. Naturally, streaming video is highly compressed to reduce bandwidth demands and
make it available to a wider group. The decision as to which encoding format to use for your live stream
is up to you or – in some cases – your client. Here are some things to consider:
Some corporate and institutional network administrators opt to support one or another format
exclusively. (Check with your IT department to find out if this affects your decision).
RTMP and RTSP combined have a very wide installed user base, and work well across multiple
platforms (PCs, Macs, Linux, etc.).
Bandwidth Considerations
You’ll often hear the term ‘bitrate’ in connection with streaming. This expression refers to data throughput per
second (generally measured in Kilobits per second, or Kbps.) You could think of this as being like water flowing
through a hose. You control the ‘faucet’, because you get to choose the streaming Profile setting in the system’s
Configuration panels. However, you don’t own the ‘hose’ – or, at least, not the entire hose.
Once the stream leaves your immediate environment, even if you can supply good throughput locally,
bandwidth may be constricted elsewhere along the transmission path. The level of Internet traffic can
impose limits, but another major factor is the sort of connections your viewing audience may have.
Consider one scenario: Even though you know that most of your audience is going to connect to your
program using (relatively slow) wireless devices, you use a very high outgoing bitrate – thinking that
this will surely be enough to fill the need. The fact is, though, a high bitrate actually ensures a poor
viewing experience in this case. The client player tries to play at the specified bitrate, but (in this
example) the wireless bottleneck impedes flow. It is as if you connected a fire hose on your end, giving
them a high volume of data – but in the last stage of flow, the stream must pass through a small garden
hose. Sadly, the final data stream will be quite insufficient, and output from the ‘nozzle’ (the client
player) will falter badly.
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For reliable performance, try to ensure the potential upload bandwidth from your system to the net is
around twice the bitrate you choose. You can broadcast at a rate closer to your actual ceiling, but reliable
performance cherishes headroom.
Also consider the expected download abilities of your viewers. Ideally, a safety margin 1.5 times the
stream’s bitrate is desirable. This may mean you need to consider using a lower resolution, or lower
framerate for your stream – but doing so when required will generally deliver a smooth result, and is the
wise course. (Nothing inclines viewers to turn away quicker than a stuttering, start and stop stream. See
“Speed Tests” in Section 14.8.1 for some useful resources.)
Using a commercial streaming media provider (sometimes referred to as a Content Delivery Network, or
simply ‘CDN’) bypasses otherwise high-bandwidth requirements for the encoding computer. When you
have made arrangements for a streaming media provider to distribute your stream, the encoder only
needs enough bandwidth to get a single a/v stream to the provider. All end users connect to the provider
to view the stream.
Most streaming providers have access to massive bandwidth (and often, with very little notice, they can
scale up your allotment to meet a temporary need.) Since your local bandwidth is really only used for
uploading a single stream, you can send a high quality stream, secure in the knowledge that it will not
degrade as soon as a second viewer attempts to see it.
Other Factors
Other variables to keep in mind when you’re creating video for the web are contrast and motion. During
video encoding for web distribution, a fair amount of video information and detail can be lost. For this
reason, good lighting of your source video is essential.
Also, web streaming doesn’t handle detail, transitions and motion all that well -- so your best shots should
be close up, and without a lot of movement. Too, audio from cameras and camcorders is rarely as good
as that from external microphones. You should at least use a clip-on lavaliere microphone, if not a
directional or shotgun microphone to be sure you record only the audio you really want.
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Section 14.8 Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
As technologies go, video streaming is still in its adolescent phase, at best. There are a lot of different
standards and diverse environments to consider. AV-HLC100 gives you the necessary tools, but there
are still some teething problems you may encounter. This section will point you in the right direction to
overcome them.
When it comes to using your system in a professional live production environment (i.e., your bread and
butter depends on getting it right, and now - not tomorrow), failure to test beforehand is not merely unwise
- it can be professional suicide.
You should already be aware of the need for redundancy in a professional environment (you didn’t bring
just one camera, did you?) As reliable as any device may be, Murphy’s Law has not been repealed … so
you plan for this, bringing the appropriate equipment, such as uninterruptable power supplies, and
perhaps backup recording devices. But you also need to perform onsite testing, to ensure your live stream
is working well before ‘zero hour.’ No-one will thank you for excuses, no matter how brilliantly they point
the finger at forces beyond your control.
2. You can use the integrated web browser to scrutinize the stream, but you should probably confirm
using an external system, too.
Success at this point does not necessarily mean you’re done. You may be able to see the stream locally,
but can someone outside the local environment connect to it over the Internet? The best way to find out
is to have someone at a remote location verify that your stream is streaming properly. If it is, great;
otherwise, please keep reading…
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Testing with Ping
Before your stream can be seen - whether on a local intranet or the Internet - client computers (or your
service provider) need to be able to establish a network connection with your system.
Ping is a humble but effective tool to ensure the basic connection exists, thus it can help you with
streaming connection issues, too (and it works just fine in a multi-platform environment). Ping sends a
small set of data packets to the target host (IP number), then ‘listens’ for an echo response in return.
Ping estimates the round-trip time in milliseconds, records any data losses, and displays a summary
when finished.
Bottom line, if you can’t ‘ping’ your target, your connection has problems (the problem might be as simple
as a bad cable connection). To issue a ping, you need know the IP number of the target computer.
For Windows
1. Type “run” (without the quotation marks) into the Search field, then press Enter on the keyboard.
2. Type “cmd” (without the quotation marks) into the dialog, and press Enter on the keyboard.
3. In the command shell that opens, type “ipconfig” (without the quotation marks) and press Enter
again.
4. The IP Address for the system will be reported in the window (listed next to “IPv4 Address”), along
with other data.
1. Click the Apple icon at upper left on the Desktop, and select About This Mac.
4. The IP number for the system will be listed in the right hand pane.
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Issuing a Ping
Ping is a command line program, and must be run from a command shell on the issuing computer. To
open a command shell and send a ping, follow the procedure below that applies.
Windows
2. Type “ping” (without quotes) followed by a space and the target IP number, as in the image below
– then press Enter.
FIGURE 92
3. Ping will go to work, and in a moment or two begin reporting results. A ping failure (indicating a
network problem) will look like Figure 93. A success ping will display a report like Figure 94.
FIGURE 93
FIGURE 94
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Apple OS X
2. Type the following command into the Terminal (without quotations) and then add the IP number,
and press Enter:
“ping –c 4 ipnumber.”
The response will be similar to the Windows example described above. Again, a ping failure indicates a
problem with the network connection.
Are you sure your upload bandwidth is adequate to the bitrate you’ve set for your stream? Why not test
and make sure. Again, a number of websites provide free speed testing. These will give you a basic idea
of what your local bandwidth really is. One site which provides a list of online speed test resources is:
http://www.dslreports.com/speedtest?more=1
With regard to streaming issues, don’t overlook the fact that AV-HLC100 is just one of the pieces of the
puzzle. There are many others that are just as important. One useful thing to try is to check the streaming
file. Use a File Capture preset to archive the streaming output file locally, and then examine it to see if it
has any problems. This file corresponds exactly to what AV-HLC100’s encoder is sending the
downstream server. In cases of sync problems, low frame-rate problems, audio popping problems, etc.,
if it's an encoding issue, the problem will be seen in this file. On the other hand (if the file looks good),
then the issue has to be downstream of your Panasonic system.
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Chapter 15 Control Surface
Generally, you can think of the various control groups provided as being organized into several groups.
FIGURE 95
Controls in each horizontal stripe can be grouped into the following groups:
In the sections that follow, we’ll look at each the functions of controls in each of these groups.
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Section 15.2 Camera Controls
This control group falls conveniently under your left hand, making it easy to find for
quick adjustments.
Hint: Operations in this group are directed to the same camera that the Joystick is
currently controlling.
The dominant control in the group is a Zoom rocker that you can comfortably operate using
index middle fingers to zoom network-connected and configured cameras in and out.
The Iris and Focus knobs fall conveniently under middle finger and thumb, respectively.
Rotate these knobs to adjust the names camera setting, or press them to toggle Auto
Iris and Auto Focus options (nearby red LEDs indicate when these are active).
FIGURE 96
FIGURE 97
This all important control group is dominated by red and green button rows labeled to identify the Switcher
inputs that can be selected as Program and Preview row sources.
The Preview row can also be used to determine what video source is sent to the AUX video bus (carried
by the SDI 2 and the AUX NDI outputs). As noted in Section 8.3.2, AUX output can be set to default to
either Program or (clean)Preview, but can also be assigned in the Live Desktop to show a selected
Switcher source (see Section 10.1.1).
Similarly, if you hold down the control surface ALT button before pressing a Preview row button, the
corresponding Switcher source is sent to the AUX outputs. Subsequently, the AUX source button in the
Preview row lights when ALT is pressed. To revert to the default AUX source, hold down ALT and press
the button that is lit on the Preview row.
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15.3.2 Switcher Delegates
A short column of buttons positioned at right beside the fader lever determines
what video layers (see Section 10.1.2) are affected by Cut, Auto, and Fader
lever operations.
These buttons are referred to as delegate buttons. When you press the TITLE
button, the Title Overlay layer is ‘delegated’, and moving the Fader lever (for
example) will govern the display of the current title page.
Switcher delegate buttons support multi-selection, allowing you (for example) to
introduce a new Background source from the Preview row while simultaneously
displaying a suitable Title overlay.
FIGURE 98 Hint: FTB (Fade to Black) is located above the delegate button group, but is
not itself a delegate button.
FTB
Since it has come up here, let’s discuss the FTB feature next. The acronym stands for Fade to Black.
The result of punching FTB will not likely surprise you very much. FTB offers a convenient method of doing
what its name implies – fading Program output completely to black. It might help to think of FTB as a final
video layer added above all others before Program output, completely obscuring everything below it.
As a memory aid, the FTB button pulses when the feature is on. FTB’s fade in/out duration is taken from
the BKGD layer transition duration setting.
Note: Hiding or displaying FTB triggers Autoplay and Audio Follow Video when these are active and
the CLIP player is displayed. FTB also fades Master audio out when displayed, and back in again when
removed.
Clicking the Cut button performs a straight cut for all video layers (other than FTB, which is a special case
as mentioned above) currently selected.
Likewise, if you press Auto (or the keyboard Spacebar), the transitions assigned to any delegated video
layers are performed. You can halt an Auto operation partway by clicking the Auto button a second time
during the transition. The operation will be completed the next time you click the button.
The Fader lever is perhaps the most recognizable component of a video control surface, and one of the most
important. Adjust the Fader lever to manually modify the progress of a transition between delegated video layers.
Hint: Naturally, when the fader lever is dragged part way, a partial transition occurs. With certain
transitions this can be useful for split screen effects, among other things.
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15.3.5 Setup
This small group just above the right-hand end of the Program row
comprises two buttons:
• INPUT SETUP
• SELECT TRANS
Not surprisingly, the first of these buttons allows you to configure Switcher
input video sources - without using the graphical user interface. The
second button lets you quickly choose transitions.
FIGURE 99
To discuss these functions, we must also briefly consider the Menu control group, which includes the
blue LED display (Figure 100).
FIGURE 100
Input Setup
INPUT SETUP provides complete control over Switcher video source configuration (of course, you can
set up Switcher sources using the features of the Live Desktop as well – see Chapter 9.)
To configure a Switcher source, press INPUT SETUP to show a list of Switcher sources on the LED
display in the Menu group. Select the one you wish to set up using the buttons below the LED. The LED
display will update to show a list of source options, the first of which is CFG SRC (Configure Source).
Hint: In addition to CFG SRC, the LED display will show all processing options from the Color tab of
the Live Desktop’s Input Configuration panel. (Use the Scroll button beside the LED display to reveal
even more options.)
Select CFG SRC, and the display updates again. You can now select LOCAL, then choose between
Black, Inputs 1-4, or Skype TX Caller or any available NDI video source. If you choose a hardware input
(1-4), you can continue to specify whether AV-HLC100 will auto-detect the video format (this is the default
behavior), or manually designate a specific format (see Appendix D).
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CLIP AND STILL
CLIP and STILL appear first in the top level CFG SRC menu, ahead of Inputs 1-8. This is to provide quick
access to player controls unique to these two modules. For example, selecting CFG SRC > CLIP reveals
PREV, STOP, PLAY, and NEXT controls on the LED display.
Select Trans
When you press SELECT TRANS, the Menu group shows options labeled TRNS 1-8. Making a selection,
using the buttons below the LED display, selects the transition effect from the transition bin preset slot
for the video layer currently selected in the Switcher Delegates button group beside the Fader lever (see
Section 15.3.2).
The Audio control group, at upper left on the surface, includes a Volume knob, LED VU meter, and
SETUP (configure) button.
• VU meter – displays Master output volume. The red LED at the top indicates
that clipping has occurred.
• Volume – by default, adjusts the Master volume level, but can be used in
conjunction with the SETUP button to control the level of individual channels
from selected sources.
• SETUP – provides similar functionality to the CFG SRC button in the Switcher
group (discussed previously).
o Pressing the SETUP button causes the LED display in the Menu control
group to list all audio sources.
o Making a selection (using the buttons beneath the display) shows CFG
FIGURE 101 SRC and GAIN items for each audio channel from the source.
CFG SRC - this option allows you to select from the following:
• Silence
• Follow Video (default)
• Local - one of the hardware audio inputs (Input 1-4), the
motherboard microphone jack, shown as Micr Real (an
abbreviation form of “Microphone (Realtek)”), and Skype TX
Caller.
• Or any other detected input, including NDI audio sources.
GAIN – the Volume knob will control the level of the selected channel.
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Section 15.5 Menu
FIGURE 102
We’ve discussed using the controls in this group several times thus far. Here, then, we will just mention
a few items that have been overlooked to this point.
• OSD – Press this button to display the On Screen Display menu for a network-connected Panasonic
PTZ camera. The LED display in the Menu control group will show control commands for the OSD,
allowing you to modify the camera settings.
• Scroll – Rotate this knob to move up and down through Menu display pages. Press the knob to go
back to the previous menu level.
• PTZ Preset – Press this button to show a list of presets for PTZ camera the Joystick is currently
controlling (see Section 15.7).
• ALT – Press this button to modify or extend other features, as described in context elsewhere in
this discussion.
Hint: A complete listing of all Menu options can be found in Appendix D.
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Section 15.6 Grab & Stream/Record
Three delegate buttons located just below the joystick assign the joystick
to control various features as follows:
• PTZ – Press this button, and choose a PTZ camera to control using
the Menu controls at left.
• PIP – Press this button to use the joystick to move or re-size the
Picture in Picture overlay. Choose the PiP source in the Menu.
FIGURE 104 • TITLE – In similar fashion, this button delegates the joystick to
control the position and size of the Title overlay. Choose the Title
Preset to load using the Menu.
By default, pushing the joystick forward (away from the operator) tilts a PTZ camera down, while pulling
back on it tilts it upward, just like the joystick in an airplane would do. But pushing the joystick forward
when PIP or TITLE is delegated has the reverse effect, moving the overlay upward on the screen.
Twisting the joystick clockwise zooms a camera in, or scales an overlay up. And, naturally, twisting in the
other direction to does the reverse.
Hint: The application of PTZ control operations can be inverted in the Live Desktop (see Section 9.2.)
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PART III Appendices
A time-saving question and answer section, followed by an extensive listing of Shortcut Keys, schematic diagram
and keyword index …
A. Performance Considerations
Video professionals simply do not leap into new environments blindly. They prepare, plan, plan some
more, and then – most importantly – they test. This allows them to tackle the really tough jobs with
confidence.
What does the term IMAG relate to? It’s a compression of the expression “Image MAGnification.”
Typically in modern IMAG applications, video cameras supply live imagery to projection systems,
magnifying speakers and performers so that audience members further back in large venues can still see
what’s going on.
IMAG is a very tricky task at the best of times, one that calls for excellent planning, and where possible,
testing. Those designing an IMAG installation have, not just one, but two inter-related broadcasts to
consider – in the form of the audio and video streams.
Wouldn’t it be nice if audio and video travelled from their respective broadcast devices at the same
speed? Then, wherever you were seated in the audience, the sound from hypothetically perfect speakers
and the video image from huge video displays co-located at the front of the auditorium would reach your
ears and your retinas at precisely the same moment!
This is not the case, however. Sound travels quite slowly – so slow, in fact, that even in relatively small
venues it reaches those in the rear of the audience noticeably later than those in the front.
In loose terms, for a mid-size auditorium 600 feet long, it takes around a half-second for the audio to
reach those in the back. For this reason, audio engineers often position speakers throughout the
‘house’, then introduce carefully considered delays by electronic means – to ensure ‘late sound’ from
front speakers does not arrive after sound from the nearest speaker to those further back.
Light, on the other hand, travels so much faster that for all intents transmission can be considered
instantaneous in the same setting. So a person in the rear will see the image on a screen at the front long
before sound from a co-located speaker arrives.
If transmission of the video signal from the camera lens right through to the projection screen were
instantaneous (it’s not, mind you), we’d likely need to find a way to delay it. Viewed in this light, a certain
amount of latency is actually “A Good Thing!”
“Latency” – what’s that you ask? In this context, latency refers to the time it takes for the video signal to
transit one part of the IMAG path, from camera lens to final display. Latency is usually expressed either
in milliseconds or in video “frames” (typically either 25 or 29.97 to the second.)
101
As we said above, really a little video latency is not a bad thing as viewed from a surprisingly short
distance back into the audience. This is just as well, since for all practical purposes a little latency is also
unavoidable.
Even so, as long as audio and video are in sync at your seat, only a rather ‘significant’ degree of latency
will be objectionable – unless you happen to be very near the stage. For those in the front rows, a few
extra frames of latency may be rather disconcerting. (It’s true that IMAG was conceived primarily for the
benefit of those further back, but if the latency is too obvious for those nearest the front it can be
disconcerting distraction.)
For this reason, it’s desirable to keep video latency to an agreeable minimum – but put away any notion
of ‘zero latency.’ Not only would this require bending the laws of physics, it would be a bad idea.
Even before considering minimizing latency in the device chain, acknowledging that there is always going
to be some latency calls for some creative thinking with regard to practical staging. For example, if you
design your IMAG layout in such a fashion that those in the front row are unlikely to be able to see the
screen(s) without lifting their eyes from the onstage talent, they are extremely unlikely to notice a small
amount of latency.
Your AV-HLC100 live production system constitutes just one (albeit critical) link in a chain of devices. It
is common for each device to contribute a little to the combined total latency for the system.
AV-HLC100’s portion of the total latency sum is well within acceptable standards for devices of this sort
– roughly between 1 and 2.5 frames (the actual amount can vary slightly within this range, depending on
several factors).
For example, suppose a ‘video frame’ supplied by a camera arrives at an input one millisecond after a
different frame has been sent to the output. Obviously the new arrival must wait its turn; it can’t be
transmitted until the correct duration for its predecessor has elapsed. Thus the newly arrived frame
must ‘wait’ almost one entire frame, until its turn comes.
You can actually perform a rough assessment of the latency of your pipeline fairly easily. Run timecode
directly to 1) a monitor and at the same time 2) through the switcher to a second (identical) monitor. Take
a photograph that encompasses both monitors, and compare the timecode shown.
More often than not, significant latency is added by other devices in the IMAG chain that come after the
switcher. Projectors are a common contributor, but cameras are often a factor, too.
Here are some helpful points to consider when designing and connecting your system:
• If at all possible, match the resolution sent from the switcher to the native resolution of the
projector. (On some projectors this allows the unit to avoid using its own internal scaling, which is
often a significant factor in unwanted latency.)
• Certain projectors provide a ‘low latency mode’ to disable features of the unit that carry a heavy
toll in latency. Enabling this mode can make positioning the projector slightly more challenging
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(as you may sacrifice some ability to position and scale the image using projector menu functions)
– but the latency reduction can be very worthwhile.
• Some cameras include features that add more latency than you would expect. For instance, image
stabilization (by definition) adds one field of latency and sometimes more. Disable anything of that
sort that you can.
• Latency can be slightly lower for progressive sessions, so for lowest latency, progressive modes
are theoretically.
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B. Keystroke Shortcuts
Operation Shortcut
(Show/Hide) Switcher Input Configuration Dialog top row number (1-8)
(Show/Hide) CLIPS Configuration Dialog i
(Show/Hide) CLIPS Configuration Dialog o
CLIP PREV j
CLIP Stop k
CLIP Play l
CLIP NEXT ; (semi-colon)
CLIP Toggle Autoplay ' (apostrophe)
STILL PREV , (comma)
STILL NEXT . (period)
STILL Toggle Auto Advance /
Title Editor (show panel) t
Recall Title Preset # numpad (1-8)
Store/Update Title Preset # CTRL + numpad (1-8)
Close dialog ESC
Display software version Alt + b
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C. Using Skype TX
AV-HLC100 supports Skype TX input and output with the following features:
• Begin by assigning one a/v input as a Skype TX input that can be mixed into your program just
like an SDI or NDI source. Use the Source menu in AV-HLC100’s Input Configuration panel to
select the Local>Skype TX Caller option.
• Incoming audio from the remote Skype caller is normally controlled just like any other sound
source. When a video input has been assigned to “Skype TX Caller”, the corresponding Audio
Mixer input shows a Skype icon, and a TALK button is added to it (beside Solo).
• AV-HLC100 automatically prepares a "mix-minus" audio return mix to send back to the remote
caller, consisting of the Master program sound with the caller’s audio removed. (This prevents
the caller from hearing an annoying 'echo'.) No configuration is necessary to set up this special
audio mix or assign it to the Skype audio return.
• You can also configure a special "TALKBACK" input in the Audio Mixer (you might select one of
the two 1/4" Line level audio connectors, or the small pink (Mic level) connector on
the motherboard)
• The AV-HLC100 operator presses the TALK button for his Skype channel incoming sound to talk
directly to the remote Skype caller without being heard 'on air'. This causes incoming Skype TX
sound to be removed from the Master audio mix, and redirected to the headphone output.
• At the same time, sound from the TALKBACK input goes to the remote caller (only). This is used
for 'call screening' and off air direction.
FIGURE 105
Note: Skype TX Control runs on another device (such as a laptop) on the same network as AV-HLC100.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=45887
105
FIGURE 106
Think of this application as the ‘switchboard’ for Skype TX. It is how Skype calls are initiated, or answered.
Skype TX Control can connect to and control calls sent to multiple Skype TX Clients at one time, including
HLC-100, but also (for example) NewTek TriCaster and TalkShow systems.
It provides many features, including access to the Contact list of the Skype account used to log into the
control application.
You must connect the Skype TX channel(s) of each Skype TX client device (in this case, AV-HLC100) to
the Skype TX Control application to send a/v feeds between the devices.
106
• Begin by telling Skype TX Control to connect to
your AV-HLC100.
FIGURE 107
https://media.skype.com/skype-tx/
FIGURE 108
107
D. Control Surface Menus
1 2 3 4 5 6 Description
INPUT SETUP Configure Switcher input
CLIP Configure Clip player
PREV Go to previous playlist item
STOP Stop/Go to first frame
PLAY Play clip
NEXT Go to next playlist item
RESE ALL Reset all color settings
BRT NESS Adjust brightness
-5%, -1%, Adjust by value
+1%, +5%
CONTRAST Adjust contrast
-5%, -1%, Adjust by value
+1%, +5%
HUE Adjust video hue
-5 Deg, -1 Adjust by value
Deg, +1
Deg, +5
Deg
SAT Adjust saturation
-5%, -1%, Adjust by value
+1%, +5%
U OFST Adjust U Offset
-5 IRE, -1 Adjust by value
IRE, +1
IRE, +5
IRE
V OFST Adjust V Offset
-5 IRE, -1 Adjust by value
IRE, +1
IRE, +5
IRE
RED BRGT Adjust red channel brightness
-5%, -1%, Adjust by value
+1%, +5%
RED CONT Adjust red channel contrast
-5%, -1%, Adjust by value
+1%, +5%
BLUE BRGT Adjust blue channel brightness
-5%, -1%, Adjust by value
+1%, +5%
BLUE CONT Adjust blue channel contrast
-5%, -1%, Adjust by value
+1%, +5%
GRN BRGT Adjust green channel brightness
-5%, -1%, Adjust by value
+1%, +5%
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1 2 3 4 5 6 Description
GRN CONT Adjust green channel contrast
-5%, -1%, Adjust by value
+1%, +5%
RED WBAL Adjust red White Balance value
-5 RED, -1 Adjust by value
RED, +1
RED, +5
RED
BLUE WBAL Adjust blue White Balance value
-5 BLU, -1 Adjust by value
BLU, +1
BLU, +5
BLU
GRN WBAL Adjust green White Balance value
-5 GRN, -1 Adjust by value
GRN, +1
GRN, +5
GRN
STILL Configure Still player
PREV Go to previous playlist item
NEXT Go to next playlist item
RESE ALL Reset all color settings
BRT NESS Adjust brightness
-5%, -1%, Adjust by value
+1%, +5%
CONTRAST Adjust contrast
-5%, -1%, Adjust by value
+1%, +5%
HUE Adjust video hue
-5 Deg, -1 Adjust by value
Deg, +1
Deg, +5
Deg
SAT Adjust saturation
-5%, -1%, Adjust by value
+1%, +5%
U OFST Adjust U Offset
-5 IRE, -1 Adjust by value
IRE, +1
IRE, +5
IRE
V OFST Adjust V Offset
-5 IRE, -1 Adjust by value
IRE, +1
IRE, +5
IRE
RED BRGT Adjust red channel brightness
-5%, -1%, Adjust by value
+1%, +5%
RED CONT Adjust red channel contrast
-5%, -1%, Adjust by value
+1%, +5%
109
1 2 3 4 5 6 Description
BLUE Adjust blue channel brightness
BRGT
-5%, -1%, Adjust by value
+1%, +5%
BLUE Adjust blue channel contrast
CONT
-5%, -1%, Adjust by value
+1%, +5%
GRN Adjust green channel brightness
BRGT
-5%, -1%, Adjust by value
+1%, +5%
GRN Adjust green channel contrast
CONT
-5%, -1%, Adjust by value
+1%, +5%
RED Adjust red White Balance value
WBAL
-5 RED, -1 Adjust by value
RED, +1
RED, +5
RED
BLUE Adjust blue White Balance value
WBAL
-5 BLU, -1 Adjust by value
BLU, +1
BLU, +5
BLU
GRN Adjust green White Balance value
WBAL
-5 GRN, -1 Adjust by value
GRN, +1
GRN, +5
GRN
IN (1-8) Select Switcher Input to configure (1-8)
CFG SRC Configure the selected video input
LOCAL Configure a local hardware video source
Black Black
Inpu 1
(NTSC) HDMI Auto HDMI Auto-Detect
HDMI COMP HDMI Auto-Detect (Computer display)
1080/60p HD SDI 1080/59.94p
1080/60i HD SDI 1080/59.94i
1080/30p HD SDI 1080/29.97p
1080/30s HD SDI 1080/29.97PsF
1080/24p HD SDI 1080/23.98p
1080/Tele HD SDI 1080/23.98 Telecine
720/60p HD SDI 720/59.94p
720/30p HD SDI 720/29.97p
720/24p HD SDI 720/23.98p
480i 16:9 SDI 480/59.94i (16:9)
480i 4:3 SDI 480/59.94i (4:3)
110
1 2 3 4 5 6 Description
(PAL) HDMI Auto HDMI Auto-Detect
HDMI HDMI Auto-Detect (Computer
COMP display)
1080/50p HD SDI 1080/50p
1080/50i HD SDI 1080/50i
1080/25p HD SDI 1080/25p
1080/25p HD SDI 1080/25PsF
720/50p HD SDI 720/50p
720/25p HD SDI 720/25p
576i 16:9 SDI 575/50i (16:9)
576i 4:3 SDI 575/50i (4:3)
Inpu
(2-4)
(NTSC) 1080/60p HD SDI 1080/59.94p
1080/60i HD SDI 1080/59.94i
1080/30p HD SDI 1080/29.97p
1080/30s HD SDI 1080/29.97PsF
1080/24p HD SDI 1080/23.98p
1080/Tele HD SDI 1080/23.98 Telecine
720/60p HD SDI 720/59.94p
720/30p HD SDI 720/29.97p
720/24p HD SDI 720/23.98p
480i 16:9 SDI 480/59.94i (16:9)
480i 4:3 SDI 480/59.94i (4:3)
(PAL) 1080/50p HD SDI 1080/50p
1080/50i HD SDI 1080/50i
1080/25p HD SDI 1080/25p
1080/25p HD SDI 1080/25PsF
720/50p HD SDI 720/50p
720/25p HD SDI 720/25p
576i 16:9 SDI 575/50i (16:9)
576i 4:3 SDI 575/50i (4:3)
(NDI Select an NDI Device
Device
Name)
(NDI Select an NDI Channel
Channel)
AUTO C Enable Auto Color
ON
AUTO C Disable Auto Color
OFF
RESE ALL Reset all color settings
111
1 2 3 4 5 6 Description
BRT NESS Adjust brightness
-5%, -1%, Adjust by value
+1%, +5%
CONTRAST Adjust contrast
-5%, -1%, Adjust by value
+1%, +5%
HUE Adjust video hue
-5 Deg, -1 Adjust by value
Deg, +1
Deg, +5
Deg
SAT Adjust saturation
-5%, -1%, Adjust by value
+1%, +5%
U OFST Adjust U Offset
-5 IRE, -1 Adjust by value
IRE, +1
IRE, +5
IRE
V OFST Adjust V Offset
-5 IRE, -1 Adjust by value
IRE, +1
IRE, +5
IRE
RED BRGT Adjust red channel brightness
-5%, -1%, Adjust by value
+1%, +5%
RED CONT Adjust red channel contrast
-5%, -1%, Adjust by value
+1%, +5%
BLUE BRGT Adjust blue channel brightness
-5%, -1%, Adjust by value
+1%, +5%
BLUE CONT Adjust blue channel contrast
-5%, -1%, Adjust by value
+1%, +5%
GRN BRGT Adjust green channel brightness
-5%, -1%, Adjust by value
+1%, +5%
GRN CONT Adjust green channel contrast
-5%, -1%, Adjust by value
+1%, +5%
RED WBAL Adjust red White Balance value
-5 RED, -1 Adjust by value
RED, +1
RED, +5
RED
BLUE WBAL Adjust blue White Balance value
-5 BLU, -1 Adjust by value
BLU, +1
BLU, +5
BLU
112
1 2 3 4 5 6 Description
GRN Adjust green White Balance value
WBAL
-5 GRN, -1 Adjust by value
GRN, +1
GRN, +5
GRN
SELECT Choose a transition for the
TRANS delegated video layer
TRNS Select a transition preset
(1-8)
AUDIO Configure an audio source
AUD Select an Audio Mixer input to
(1-8) configure
Assign a source to an Audio Mixer
SET SRC
input
Silence Silence
Follow Video Follow video
Local Choose a local hardware audio
source
Inpu Select audio from input 1-4
(1-4)
Micro Real Select the motherboard
microphone jack
Skyp TX C Select the Skype TX Caller audio
source
(NDI Device Select an NDI Device
Name)
(NDI Select an NDI Channel
Channel)
Adjust the gain for a single
CH (1-4) GAIN
channel (1-4)
Adjust the gain for a single
TALK CH (1-4) GAIN
channel (1-4)
Adjust the gain for a single
CLIP CH (1-4) GAIN
channel (1-4)
Select a PTZ Preset for the
PTZ PRESET
delegated PTZ camera
IN1-8 P(1- Select a PTZ Preset (1-100)
100)
Assign the Joystick to a PTZ
PTZ
Camera
IN(1-8) Select PTZ Camera (1-8)
PTZ
Assign the Joystick to the PIP
PIP
Overlay
IN(1-8) Select Input 1-8
CLIP Select the Clip player
STILL Select the Still player
Assign the Joystick to the Title
TITLE
Overlay
TTL(1-8) Select a Title Preset
113
E. Appearance
Unit: mm (inch)
114
F. Reliability Testing
We know our products play vital roles in the productions of our customers. Durability and consistent,
robust performance are much more than just adjectives for your business and ours.
For this reason, this product has undergone rigorous reliability testing to ensure it meets our standards.
The following standards are applicable:
G. Specifications
Weight and dimensions when shown are approximately. Specifications are subject to change without notice.
Ambient operating
0 °C to 40 °C (32 °F to 104 °F)
temperature
Ambient operating
20 % to 80 % (no condensation)
humidity
427 mm 93 mm 278 mm
Dimensions (W H D) (16-13/16 inches 3-21/32 inches 10-31/32 inches)
[excluding protrusions]
Approx. 6.05 kg (13.34 lb)
Mass
[excluding accessory parts when no options have been installed]
115
Number of ME 1ME
Number of switcher 10:
channel • 8 External (selected from among 4 3G-SDI, 3 3G-SDI+ 1 HDMI, 8NDI
sources)
• 2 Internal (1 CLIP, 1 STILL)
Number of Keyer 2:
• PiP
• Title
System Video Format 1080/59.94p*, 1080/59.94i, 1080/29.97Psf, 1080/23.98p, 1080/50p*, 1080/50i,
1080/25PsF, 720/59.94p, 720/50p, 720/29.97p, 720/25p
*: 3G SDI corresponds to Level-A only.
Video Input SDI4 or SDI3 + HDMI1*1, *2
*1: You cannot use the SDI input 1 and the HDMI connector at the same time.
*2: 3G SDI corresponds to Level-A only.
Network Input Sources 8:
• NDI input from Panasonic PTZ Camera that supports NDI | HX and NDI
compatible equipment
• IP input from Skype TX compatible PC.
Audio Input 15:
• 4-channel SDI/HDMI embedded audio4
• 4-channel NDI embedded audio8
• 6.35 mm balanced line2
• 3.5 mm diameter, stereo mini jack1
Video Output 4:
• 1 BNC 3G-SDI (PGM) *1
• 1 BNC 3G-SDI (selectable from PGM/PVW/AUX)*1
• 1 HDMI or 1 DisplayPort (for GUI)*2
• 1 Network output
*1: 3G SDI corresponds to Level-A only.
*2: HDMI and DisplayPort can not be used simultaneously.
Network Video Output 1:
Selectable from MIX(PGM or PVW)/AUX
• NDI output
• RTMP format streaming output*
*: Only available when plug-in provided by NewTek is installed.
Audio Output 6:
• SDI embedded audio2
• 6.35 mm balanced line2
• 3.5 mm diameter, stereo mini jack1
• NDI embedded audio1
Effects and Transitions Wipe/Mix/Cut
• Background Video
• PiP
• Title
116
Audio Mixing • 4 ch. Master (Program) mix
• 12 faders: 1 for each of 8 external audio inputs, plus 1 internal Clips player
and 1 Skype TX Talkback input, plus 1 Master output and 1
Headphones
• Plus 1 separate audio fader for video Streaming output
• Seven-band equalizer and stereo compressor/limiter per input and output, with
per-input audio delay control
Video Clip Memory • 1ch, AutoPlay function
Supported format:
1) When plug-in provided by NewTek is not installed
Video format: avi, mpg, gif
Audio format: wav, wma, au, midi
2) When plug-in provided by NewTek is installed
Video format: 3g2, 3gp, asf, avi, dif, dv, f4v, flv, h261, h263, h264, m2p,
m2t, m2ts, m4a, m4v, mjpeg, mjpg, mkv, mov, mp4,
mpeg, mpg, mts, mxf, ts, webm, wmv
Audio format: aif, aiff, mp3, wav, wma
Still Store Memory • 1ch, AutoAdvance function
Supported image format:
1) When plug-in provided by NewTek is not installed
jpeg, bmp
2) When plug-in provided by NewTek is installed
3fr, arw, bay, bmp, bmq, cap, cine, cr2, crw, cs1, cut, dc2, dcr, dds, dng, drf,
dsc, erf, exr, fff, g3, gif, hdr, ia, ico, iff, iiq, j2c, j2k, jif, jp2, jpe, jpeg, jpg, k25,
kc2, kdc, koa, lbm, mdc, mef, mng, mos, mrw, nef, nrw, orf, pbm, pcd, pct, pcx,
pef, pfm, pgm, pic, pict, png, ppm, psd, psdz, ptx, pxn, qtk, raf, ras, raw, rdc,
rw2, rwz, sgi, sr2, srf, sti, targa, tga, tif, tiff, wap, wbm, wbmp, xbm
Title Buffer 1Title Buffer (displays 1 of 8 Buffer presets)
Reference Input Internal only
PTZ camera control Number of connected cameras: Up to 8 cameras
(Via IP) Pan/Tilt/ZOOM/FOCUS control: 3 axis joystick
(ZOOM/FOCUS is switched by pressing the upper button)
ZOOM control: Independent rocker switch
IRIS control: Independent IRIS knob, pressed AUTO/manual switching
FOCUS control: Independent FOCUS knob, pressed AUTO/manual switching
Preset control: store/recall, up to 100 positions
OSD menu control: OSD button*
White balance control: GUI screen Camera menu or OSD screen (Auto/PST A/
PST B/Execute) *
CAM/BAR selection: GUI screen Camera menu or OSD screen*
*: OSD function is available for Panasonic PTZ camera of SDI and HDMI output.
It is not available for those of NDI HX output.
Tally Output DB-15 Tally port
Network Connector 2 RJ-45 1000BASE-T/100BASE-TX/10BASE-TX
USB Host I/F 4 USB3.0
117
AC adaptor
Power source: 100 V– 240 V AC ( ), 50 Hz/60 Hz, 1.8 A
Ambient operating
0 °C to 40 °C (32 °F to 104 °F)
temperature
Ambient operating
20 % to 80 % (non-condensing)
humidity
151.3 mm 75.6 mm 25.4 mm
Dimensions (W H D)
(5-31/32 inches 2-31/32 inches 1 inch)
118
Index
Autoplay ................................................................. 67
A Media Browser ............................................................ 66
Administration Panel ................................................. 14, 28 Filter ....................................................................... 66
Alpha Channel ........................................................... 63, 66 Options Menu ............................................................. 45
Audio Mixer ......................... See Live Desktop:Audio Mixer Overlays ......................................................... 15, 59, 63
Position................................................................... 62
Still Player ................................................................... 64
C Switcher ................................................................ 58, 59
Title Pages
Clip Player ............................ See Live Desktop:Clip Player
DataLink ............................................... 40, 52, 70, 71
Connections
Editing .............................................................. 68, 69
Cameras ..................................................................... 26
Spell Check ........................................................ 68
Output ......................................................................... 26
Stand-In Images .................................................. 69
Control Surface ............................................................... 93
Transitions ...................................................... 15, 17, 60
Audio........................................................................... 97
Delegates.................................................................... 95
Input Setup ................................................................. 96 M
Joystick ....................................................................... 99
Menu ........................................................................... 98 Mix Minus ........................................................................ 74
Monitor ...................................................................... 25, 46
D
N
DataLink ............................... See Live Desktop:Title Pages
Network
Connecting.................................................................. 89
G Ping ............................................................................ 90
Testing ........................................................................ 89
Grab ................................................................................ 93
NewTek Streaming plugin ............................................... 81
I P
I/O Configuration
Ping ................................................................................. 90
Audio......................................................... 31, 72, 75, 76
PiP ........................................... See Live Desktop:Overlays
Color ..................................................................... 17, 56
Video Input............................................................ 29, 49
IMAG ..................................................................... 101, 102 S
Skype TX .................................................... 74, 96, 97, 105
K Control ...................................................................... 105
Mix Minus ................................................................... 74
Keyboard ................................................................. 25, 104
TalkBack ..................................................................... 74
Still Player ............................. See Live Desktop:Still Player
L Streaming ........................................................................ 83
Bitrate .......................................................................... 87
Latency.................................................................. 101, 102 Production Tips ........................................................... 88
Live Desktop ......................................................... 15, 29, 42 Profile .......................................................................... 87
Audio Mixer ................................................................. 18 Providers .............................................................. 86, 88
Mute ....................................................................... 75 Troubleshooting .......................................................... 89
Phones Output........................................................ 73
Solo ......................................................................... 75
VU Meters............................................................... 73 T
Clip Player ............................................................ 64, 76
Titles .................................... See Live Desktop:Title Pages
119
Web Site: http://www.panasonic.com