Welcome to the official PLAYDECK documentation. This comprehensive user guide is engineered to help you configure, automate, and operate your playout system flawlessly—whether you deploy on-site or in cloud-based remote production environments.
Quick Start: System Architecture
PLAYDECK scales from simple single-channel setups to complex broadcast infrastructures. Before diving into the specific configuration chapters below, ensure you understand the core capabilities of your edition:
- Multi-Channel Playout: Manage and route up to 8 completely independent output channels simultaneously. Organize your videos, graphics, audio tracks, live inputs, or IP streams instantly via our high-speed drag-and-drop playlist interface.
- Real-Time Transcoding: Feed your playlist with almost any common video codec or container. The internal PLAYDECK engine automatically scales, converts, and transcodes all assets to match your global hardware output format in real time.
- Flexible Signal Routing: Output your pristine feeds via professional hardware I/O cards (Blackmagic Design, AJA, Deltacast, etc.), native low-latency NDI® streams, secure SRT feeds, or the Windows extended desktop.
- Advanced Control & Automation: Take absolute command of your production flow using rapid physical keyboard shortcuts, automated Tally interfaces, standardized network TCP/IP commands, or our native module built for Bitfocus Companion and Elgato Stream Deck systems.
Studio Edition: Real-Time Ingest & Audio Power
If you are operating the PLAYDECK Studio Edition, you have access to expanded broadcast-grade workflows:
- 4-Channel Recording & Focused Edit-While-Ingest: Capture up to 4 dedicated recording streams simultaneously. One designated master channel can be utilized for active Edit-While-Ingest clip generation, allowing you to use high-speed keyboard shortcuts to trim, cut, and push highlight clips to your playlist instantly while the background recording continues uninterrupted.
- Native ASIO & Dante Support: Route complex multichannel audio effortlessly with native, high-performance integration for ASIO devices and Dante Virtual Soundcard (DVS) managing up to 32 independent audio channels.
How to Navigate This Documentation
Please use the navigation menu in the left sidebar to access specific technical chapters. The menu automatically expands to guide you through our step-by-step guides on Hardware, Playlists, Routing, and Automation.
