Recording Format

In the Studio Edition, PLAYDECK allows you to record an incoming video signal and create clips from this signal while the recording is still in progress (edit-while-ingest). Alternatively, the recorded video signal can be played back with any time delay to prevent unwanted material from being broadcast. In the form of time-shifting, this can ensure that a show can be aired in the desired broadcast area at prime time.

Closed Captions

“Closed captions” refers to the insertion of text information into a video image to provide viewers with a transcripton of dialogues or sound effects, for example. The subtitles are synchronised with the video image. In contrast to “open captions”, closed captions can be switched on or off as desired.
PLAYDECK supports the two standards CEA-608 and CEA-708 and the output via Decklink playout cards as well as AJA, Deltacast and NDI.

Settings for Closed Captions

PLAYDECK offers three different ways to handle closed captions:
These can either be embedded in the output only (variant 1), displayed on the previews in addition to being embedded (variant 2) or permanently displayed on all outputs (variant 3).
You can set the desired behaviour in this drop-down field.

In this area, you can set the closed caption standard used and set the desired display formatting.

Production Window / Director View

In addition to the output of the two playlist channels, PLAYDECK provides a very convenient view for the director or other crew members: A preview of a single or both playlist channels including the various countdown timers is available for output via a playout card, via an output of the local graphics card or for playback via NDI.
In connection with a remote connection to a connected Blackmagic ATEM video mixer, a vMix system or NDI, the tally state (Preview/Program) is also displayed in the preview window.

Director View: Two-Channel view with clock, clip and block timers and tally lights activated
Director View: One-Channel view with clock, clip and block timers and tally light activated
Director View: One-Channel full-screen view with clip and block timers and tally light activated

Settings for Production Window / Producer View

Use the radio buttons to set whether you want to use the two-channel view or the one-channel view with time, or whether you prefer the full-screen variant.
Use the radio buttons in the bottom line to set the audio output of the Director View.

The settings for Device Output, Desktop Output and NDI Output correspond to those for Channel 1 and Channel 2.

Use USB-GPI Interface to activate Playback

We usually use a standard USB serial interface and a miniature relay.

It depends a bit on the way your video mixer outputs the tally signals for the control. Usually it is an open-collector circuit. Some devices actually short-circuit two pins of the connection socket.

From a purely technical point of view, PLAYDECK outputs a data stream via TX when GPIO remote control is activated. When this runs back into the system via RX, PLAYDECK starts playback.

So you have to switch a bridge between TX and RX with your interface.

The Devices

The image shows a “USB TTL adapter” connected to a minituare relay connected to a COM port.

Setting in PLAYDECK

After inserting the USB TTL adapter into the PC, a new COM port will become available to activate in PLAYDECK.

Internal and External Keying

PLAYDECK supports both Internal and External Keying, given that the Output card supports it too. You can also output the key or fill signal seperatly.

Internal Keying

In internal keying mode, PLAYDECK will superimpose the graphics over an incoming signal:

External Keying

In external keying mode, PLAYDECK generates both fill and key signals and the keying is made by an external keyer:

Supported Devices

Please check your device specifications to ensure whether it support keying.

The following information is for Blackmagic cards, which are the most commonly used with PLAYDECK:

External Keying with Decklink Duo 2

Here is an example for External Keying with the Decklink Duo 2.

First you would need to combine 2 SDI Outputs into one connector with the Blackmagic Desktop Video App likes this:


In the Decklink 8K Pro, it looks a bit different:

After that a new keying option “external” becomes available within PLAYDECK:

And this would be the SDI output mapping for key and fill signal:

Supported Input/Output cards

We basically support all cards of the following manufacturers, since we always include the latest drivers. But because of the vast amount of cards out there, we only tested the most common ones.

These are the devices that have been tested with PLAYDECK.

AJA

  • Corvid 24 R1
  • Corvid 44
  • Corvid 88
  • KONA LHi
  • KONA IP

Blackmagic Design

  • DeckLink 4K Extreme 12G
  • DeckLink 8K Pro
  • DeckLink Duo 2
  • DeckLink Intensity Pro 4K
  • DeckLink Mini Monitor / Mini Recorder
  • DeckLink Quad 1 / 2 / HDMI Recorder
  • DeckLink SDI 4K
  • DeckLink Studio 2 / 4K
  • Ultra Studio HD Mini / 4K Mini / 4K Extreme 3 / Monitor 3G

Bluefish444

  • Epoch 4K Neutron
  • Epoch 4K Supernova S+
  • Epoch Neutron
  • Epoch Supernova CG
  • KRONOS K8

Deltacast

  • DELTA-3G-e 22
  • DELTA-3G-elp-d 8c
  • DELTA-3G-elp-key 11

DekTec

  • DTA-2144B

Magewell

  • Pro Capture Quad HDMI
  • Pro Capture Quad SDI

Osprey

  • Osprey 915
  • Osprey 925
  • Osprey 927
  • Osprey 935
  • Osprey 945
  • Osprey 914
  • Osprey 924
  • Osprey 944
  • Osprey 1214
  • Osprey 1215
  • Osprey 1225
  • Osprey 1227
  • Osprey 1245
  • Osprey 1285
  • Osprey M15
  • Osprey M14
  • Osprey M24
  • Osprey M25

Stream Labs

  • Alpha HD
  • MH4LM
  • MS4
  • MSP2

Yuan

  • SC550N1

Setup Multichannel Audio

Multichannel Audio is supported in PLAYDECK for all Inputs/Outputs, that being: Device, NDI, Internal. To activate Multichannel Audio, you only have to increase the Audio Channels in Playlist Output:

PLAYDECK Professional Video Playback Playout Software for Windows * Setting Multichannel Audio 7.1

After that you may select how many Audio Channel you want to display in the VU Meter by Right-clicking it. Now add any Multichannel Clip into the Playlist. We prepared a 7.1 Clip SAMPLE (right-click and “Save as..”) for you:

PLAYDECK Professional Video Playback Playout Software for Windows * Setting Multichannel Audio for 7.1 Audio

Audio Channel Routing

In PLAYDECK, all Audio Channels are enumerated from 1 upwards, within the current selected Audio Track. If you have multiple Audio Tracks, you first have to select the Track you want to output. Then you can mix the Audio channels in any way possible:

PLAYDECK Professional Video Playback Playout Software for Windows * Setting Multichannel Audio Routing

Now you can reference your Audio channels (source) and route them to the NEW channels seperated by comma (target). There are several examples listed with the Routing Popup:

PLAYDECK Professional Video Playback Playout Software for Windows * Setting Multichannel Audio Routing

Send to OBS via NDI

If you want to use 8 Channel in OBS, activate NDI in PLAYDECK Playlist Output, then insert PLAYDECK as NDI Source and you are ready to go:

PLAYDECK Professional Video Playback Playout Software for Windows * Sending Multiple Audio Channels from PLAYDECK to OBS

Send any Trigger to external Systems/APIs

For cases, where NDI tally flag trigger or ATEM/vMix remote connections cant be used, you can setup a custom trigger at any given point.

Send trigger via TCP command

If your receiving side is able to understand any custom TCP command, you would setup the remote connection like this:

  1. Setup and activate the Connection in the settings via “Remote Control > Outgoing > TCP Custom”.
  2. You would then create a new Overlay of type “Remote Control” and insert your custom TCP command there.
  3. (Optional) You would then add the Overlay to any point in the Playlist, e.g. on Clip 1 of a new Block via “Right Click Clip > Overlays”.

As a result the TCP command will be send at the given time in the playlist or when you press the overlay button.

Send trigger via JavaScript

If your receiving side is a custom API or needs special formatting, you would need to setup your own script for this:

  1. Create a new Overlay of type “Webpage / HTML File”.
  2. Use JavaScript in your HTML File to embed any custom command. A good examle would be a NodeJS server sending customized TCP commands.

Send trigger via API (WebSockets)

If you want the current PLAYDECK status in your script, you can use our API:

  1. Create a new Overlay of type “HTML Templates”.
  2. For an Introduction on how to use the API, click on “Main Menu > Settings > Scripting > How to create Scripts”
  3. Modify any Sample (duplicate it) or create your own Script

vMix: Send/Receive Video

The best way to connect vMix with PLAYDECK (both ways) is NDI. Multichannel Audio is supported.

Send Video from vMix to PLAYDECK

You only need to activate NDI as External Output like this:

PLAYDECK Professional Video Playback Playout Software for Windows * Send and Receive Video to and from vMix
PLAYDECK Professional Video Playback Playout Software for Windows * Send and Receive Video to and from vMix

Send Video from PLAYDECK to vMix

Activate NDI Output in PLAYDECK and add the NDI as new Source in vMix like this:

PLAYDECK Professional Video Playback Playout Software for Windows * Send and Receive Video to and from vMix
PLAYDECK Professional Video Playback Playout Software for Windows * Send and Receive Video to and from vMix

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