Setup DVS – Dante Virtual Soundcard

DVS stands for Dante Virtual Soundcard. Once installed it simulates up to 8 Audio Devices (16 Channels) in Windows as WDM Driver. Those Channels can be transferred seperatly via LAN (Ethernet) to any compatible receiver, which is most likely a professional Hardware Audio Mixer. The advantage is, that you can send audio from both PLAYDECK Playlist to the mixer.

This is the product page:
https://www.audinate.com/products/software/dante-virtual-soundcard

Once you installed DVS on the PLAYDECK machine, select WDM as Audio Interface and START:

You can now select the 8 Dante Audio Devices in PLAYDECK. Each representing a Stereo Pair:

As optional step you could set the Audio Device Properties to the same Audio Format, that you are using in PLAYDECK. The Default in PLAYDECK is: 48000 Hz, 2 Ch, 32-bit. This will avoid transcoding of the audio stream and result in higher quality audio:

If you work with Multichannel Audio, you have to mix down your Channels. See this article for how to work with multichannel audio.

Troubleshooting / Dante Leader Clock

If you dry test Dante in PLAYDECK (without any actual network receiver), you will notice that the Clip is not playing. This is because PLAYDECK waits for the Dante Clock Signal to query the next video/audio frame. Without any Dante Clock in the network, the next frame will not be processed in PLAYDECK. This is a Dante Feature to ensure, that video and audio always stay sync in case of network lagging; and to syncronize all Dante enabled devices in the network.

By default the selection of the Leader Clock takes place automatically, with no need to manually assign. You might need to consult your audio mixer manual on how to active clocking. See this Video from Dante on clocking.

If you want or need to manually assign a Leader Clock; or if you are in a test environment with no audio hardware; or your audio hardware does not support clocking:

In this case you have to install Dante Via on a second Windows machine in the same network. Dante Via is able to function as Leader Clock in your network. It cant run on the same machine as PLAYDECK and DVS. Once installed, it will automatically designate itself as the Leader Clock and connect to the DVS by itself without further user intervention.

It is recommended tho, to install Dante Controller on the PLAYDECK machine to make 100% sure, that everything is working as expected. It is simply a controlling and reporting tool:

If everything is setup correctly, you will see a GREEN LIGHT in the bottom right corner, indicating that your DVS is Clock-enabled and ready to use in PLAYDECK.

Once you see this GREEN LIGHT, PLAYDECK will now play all Clips correctly.

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

OBS Studio: Send/Receive Video

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

OBS doesn’t deliver NDI out of the box. You need to install an additional PlugIn, which is a quick and easy process:

  1. Download PlugIn HERE (Select “obs-ndi…..Windows-Installer.exe”)
  2. Close OBS and install the PlugIn like any other Windows App

Send Video from OBS to PLAYDECK

The NDI PlugIn inserts a new Option into the Tools Menu. Pick NDI Output and activate it:

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

Send Video from PLAYDECK to OBS

Activate NDI Output in PLAYDECK. The OBS NDI PlugIn inserts a new NDI Source, which you can add to your OBS Scene like this:

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

Remote Control Playlist 2 via Playlist 1 events

Sometimes the SYNC feature isn’t enough to have simultaneous playback and the operator wants to setup more complex ways of automation between the playlists. This can be done by setting PLAYDECK to remote control itself.

Sending Commands to anywhere in PLAYDECK via Overlays

To send a Command, you want to create a new “Remote Control” Overlay. You can now add one of the Custom Commands, that will be recognized by PLAYDECK. Basically you can CUE and PLAY clips, start Actions, show Overlays, etc..

Example: <cueandplay|2|1|1>
This will instantly play Playlist 2, Block 1, Clip 1.

A complete list of all commands can be found within PLAYDECK via “Show Commands”
Your overlay will look something like this:

Setup PLAYDECK events for automation

You add events to the playlist by adding the overlay with the commands to the clip. For example, if you want to start Playlist 2 (first clip) as soon as Playlist 1 starts playing, you would add the above Overlay to Clip 1 like this:

PLAYDECK Professional Video Playback Playout Software for Windows * Settings for Internal Remote Control

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