PLAYDECK can be controlled remotely via a number of different methods, but can also send out control commands itself.
To control PLAYDECK from outside, the following methods are available:

• TCP Commands
• Auto-play via NDI Tally Light
• Auto-play via GPI / COM-Port
• Auto-play via Blackmagic Design ATEM Series Live Production Switcher
• Auto-play via vMix Live Video Streaming Software
• Auto-play via TSL UMD Protocol (v. 3.1 or 5.0)

You can remote control both playlists from PLAYDECK via TCP/IP commands from a remote control computer. You can use any tool you like for this, as no special format is required (no special encoding, no line ending command necessary). You can send several commands simultaneously.

Bitfocus Companion and Universe Show Control have already integrated extensive libraries for controlling PLAYDECK, which makes control particularly convenient.

The following control commands are available:

<cue|PLAYLIST|BLOCK|CLIP>
<cueandplay|PLAYLIST|BLOCK|CLIP>
<cuenext|PLAYLIST>
<cueandplaynext|PLAYLIST>
<cuenextblock|PLAYLIST>
<cueandplaynextblock|PLAYLIST>
<cueflex|PLAYLIST|PATTERN>
<cueandplayflex|PLAYLIST|PATTERN>
<cueandplaysync|PL1 BLOCK|PL2 BLOCK>
<cueandplaysyncflex|PL1 PATTERN|PL2 PATTERN>
<play|PLAYLIST>
<stop|PLAYLIST>
<pause|PLAYLIST>
<jumpstart|PLAYLIST>
<jumpend|PLAYLIST>
<previousclip|PLAYLIST>
<fadein|PLAYLIST>
<fadeout|PLAYLIST>
<restartclip|PLAYLIST>
<playoverlay|PLAYLIST|OVERLAY>
<stopoverlay|PLAYLIST|OVERLAY>
<toggleoverlay|PLAYLIST|OVERLAY>
<stopalloverlays|PLAYLIST>
<playaction|PLAYLIST|ACTION>
<playactionsync|PL1 ACTION|PL2 ACTION>
<loadplaylist|AUTOPLAY|FILENAME>
<selectclip|PLAYLIST|BLOCK|CLIP>
<insertclip|PLAYLIST|FILENAME>
<changeclip|PLAYLIST|FILENAME>
<appendclip|PLAYLIST|FILENAME>
<activate|PLAYLIST|BLOCK|CLIP>
<deactivate|PLAYLIST|BLOCK|CLIP>
<muteaudio|PLAYLIST>
<unmuteaudio|PLAYLIST>
<toggleaudio|PLAYLIST>
<hidenotes>
<restartscripts>
<startstream|TARGET>
<stopstream|TARGET>
<startrec>
<stoprec>

A detailed explanation of the individual commands, together with examples, can be obtained by clicking on the button Show Commands.

When PLAYDECK’s NDI output is activated, PLAYDECK receives tally signals from the connected NDI receiver via a return channel. As soon as PLAYDECK is switched live on air there, PLAYDECK starts playing the clip that is currently in the CUE state.

You can connect both playlists to almost any video mixer and have playback start automatically as soon as the corresponding channel of the mixer goes on air. For this purpose, the tally signal of the mixer is registered at the chosen COM port. As soon as a clip is in CUE state, PLAYDECK performs a simple loopback test on the corresponding COM port: If a galvanic connection between pin 3 (Transmit Data) and pin 2 (Receive Data) is registered for at least 50 ms, playback starts immediately.
If you need a corresponding tally-to-USB interface, please contact our support team.

Playback can be automated particularly conveniently if you have connected PLAYDECK to a Blackmagic ATEM Series live production switcher. As soon as a clip is in CUE state, PLAYDECK listens to the connected ATEM mixer. If the corresponding channel is switched live, playback starts immediately.
In order for PLAYDECK to communicate with your Blackmagic ATEM device, you need to install the ATEM Control software on your PLAYDECK computer. It is NOT necessary to start the software. PLAYDECK only requires access to the appropriate drivers and libraries.
Enter the IP address of the mixer (it must be in the same address space as your PLAYDECK system) and click Connect. Then you can select from the two drop-down fields which input channel of your ATEM device PLAYDECK should listen to.
Finally, please activate the checkbox on the left.

PLAYDECK can also be remotely controlled very conveniently when you connect it to vMix. The operating philosophy of vMix is that you can assign a source to several inputs. Enter the IP address of the vMix PC and fill in all vMix inputs for the two playlists to which PLAYDECK is to react with an auto start (separated by comma).

Finally, remote start via TSL UDP Tally protocol is available. PLAYDECK supports versions 3.1 and 5.0.
You can freely select the number of the port to be used for communication.
Enter the TSL ID to which Playlists 1 and 2 are to respond in the corresponding fields (some manufacturers call this ID “Screen ID”, “Channel ID” or “Device ID”). If PLAYDECK is to respond to more than one TSL ID, please separate the IDs with commas.

PLAYDECK expects the signal for Preview on Tally 1 and the signal for Program on Tally 2.

An action is a media file (video, audio or full-screen graphics) in direct access. As soon as the corresponding button is pressed, PLAYDECK starts playing the stored file.
Up to 30 such action files can be stored per playlist channel and controlled via mouse clicks or particularly conveniently via keyboard shortcuts or LAN commands.

Files can be dragged and dropped directly from Windows Explorer or the Add-Clip window onto the desired button. Action buttons that have not yet been assigned a file have a gray outline, otherwise the outline is orange.
Actions that are currently played back have an orange button. They can be cancelled by clicking the mouse again.
Left mouse click on the arrow up-down button switches to the next actions, a right click returns to the previous bank.

Right clicking on an empty action opens a menu in which you can assign a media file or change the button name.
If the action is assigned, a right click leads to the following extended menu:

Change File opens the File Explorer and allows you to exchange the saved media file.

Change Name opens a window in which you can give the button for the action a descriptive name.

Change After Action:
Here you can set how PLAYDECK should behave when a played back action clip is over. You can choose from the following options:
Default:
Uses the setting you have selected under Settings – All Settings – Workflow – Playlists in the “Default Behaviour after playing an action” section.
Pause on last Frame of Action:
PLAYDECK stops on the last frame of the action clip and waits for further commands.
Stop Playback and show Background
PLAYDECK stops playback and displays the default background. For details on setting the default background of a playlist, see X.Y
Return to Playlist Clip on Last Position
At the end of the action clip, PLAYDECK jumps back to the position in the playlist where the action clip was started. The state of the playlist when the action button is pressed is taken into account: If PLAYDECK was in a running playback, the playback will continue. If PLAYDECK was in a pause or cue state, this state will be restored.
Replay last played Playlist Clip
If the action button was pressed during an ongoing playback, the interrupted clip is played back from the beginning after the action clip has ended.
Play next Clip in Playlist
If the action button was pressed during an ongoing playback, the interrupted clip is skipped after the action clip is finished and the following clip is started.
Play selected Clip in Playlist
While the action clip is playing, the operator can decide where to resume playback after the action clip is finished by selecting a clip from the playlist.

Cut/Crop opens a window in which you can assign IN/OUT points to the action file and crop it in size. For more information, refer to the Playlist Functions – Clip Related Functions section.

If you activate Loop Action, the action is played back in an endless loop.

Change Custom Gain allows you to adjust the volume of the action file.

Copy Action opens a window in which you can easily copy buttons including all settings.

Clear Action deletes the corresponding action file from the button.

An overlay is an image, a text, a ticker, an HTML file or even a website that can be superimposed on the output video signal. The image may or may not be full-screen and may or may not contain transparency information (alpha channel). Thus overlays are just as suitable for permanent station logos as for short lower thirds. Multiple overlays can be active simultaneously, with the exception of HTML overlays. PLAYDECK gives you access to up to 30 overlays per playlist channel. The overlays can be faded in and out with repeated left clicks or particularly conveniently via keyboard shortcuts or LAN commands.

Files can be dragged and dropped directly from Windows Explorer or the Add-Clip window onto the desired button. Overlay buttons that have not yet been assigned a file have a gray outline, otherwise the outline is orange.
Overlays that are currently displayed have an orange button.
Left mouse click on the arrow up-down button switches to the next overlays, a right click returns to the previous bank.

Right clicking on an empty overlay opens a menu in which you can assign an image file or change the button name.
If the overlay is assigned, a right click leads to the following extended menu:

Edit Overlay opens a menu bar at the top of the interface where you can make all settings:

Select the file, rename the button or display the overlay. In addition, you can freely position and scale each image and add a fade-in and fade-out duration. Additionally you can assign a transparency (alpha channel) to the overlay.

Change Content lets you conveniently assign another media file to the corresponding overlay button.

Change Name opens a window in which you can give the button for the overlay a descriptive name.

Set Duration opens a window in which you can define whether the overlay is automatically hidden and after which time. This is perfect for displaying lower thirds which should automatically disappear after the same display duration.

Copy Overlay opens a window in which you can easily copy buttons including all settings.

Clear Overlay deletes the corresponding overlay from the button.

Each playback block in PLAYDECK ends with an end of block command.
Right clicking on the block end opens the Block End Functions:

Insert Clip inserts a playlist entry just before the end of the block.

Delete (Merge Blocks) deletes the end of block command and merges the current and the following playback block into one.

Change to … opens a submenu with which you can change the block end command. The displayed command depends on the current end-of-block command.

Change to … (Default) replaces the current end of block command with the default one stored in Settings – All Settings – Workflow – Playlists

Each playback block consists of one or more clips. A clip can be a video, an audio track, a graphic, or a live input:

Meaning of the symbols and information from left to right:

1. The green checkmark indicates that PLAYDECK has found the corresponding clip on the system and that it is suitable for playback. If a clip is missing or not suitable for playback, PLAYDECK displays a red cross here.
   If you want to skip a clip during playback without deleting it completely from the playlist, click on the green checkmark. This disappears and at the same time the entire line is grayed out. Clicking it again will add the clip back.
2. Next to it, the file name of the clip or, if you have used the Rename Clip function, the clip name you have assigned is displayed.
3. The next column contains the duration of the clip. If you have marked the clip with IN and/or OUT points, the actual display duration is indicated here.
4. If you have trimmed the clip by setting IN or OUT points, green braces will appear. If you have cropped the clip, this is indicated by four small green angles. Move the mouse over the symbols to see the corresponding values.
5. If you have looped a clip, a round arrow is displayed here. Move the mouse over the icon to see details.
6. A value in dB indicates the level by which the playback volume of a clip is increased or decreased. The value may have been determined automatically or entered manually. Move the mouse over the value to get more information about sampling rate etc.
7. If a clip has been provided with a transition effect to the following clip, you will find the transition type and effect duration next to it.
8. If you want the display of overlays to start at the same time as the playback of the clip, you will find the corresponding information here.
9. If desired, PLAYDECK will automatically check whether the resolution and frame rate of a clip match the set output resolution. A white i indicates a match, an i in an orange box indicates differences.
   Move the mouse over the i to get more information.

Clips can be moved my clicking and moving the Clip. If you press CTRL after starting dragging, the Clip will be copied instead of moved.

Right clicking a clip in the playlist opens the corresponding Clip Functions menu. This menu shows partly different entries depending on the type of clip:

Insert Clip, Insert Live Input or Insert Note inserts a corresponding item BEFORE the selected clip.

Rename allows you to give the clip an alternative name without renaming the original file.

Delete deletes the corresponding clip from the playback block.

Cut/Crop opens another submenu where you can add IN/OUT points to the clip and also crop it in size:

You set IN and OUT points with the help of the braces. In the Crop area you specify in pixels which area is to be cropped away from the four sides.
On the far left, you specify the scaling that PLAYDECK should apply when you use the Crop function. None of these operations will affect the original media file. The original file always remains unchanged.

Click on Show Crop View inserts markers on the preview window. You can grab and move them at a total of eight reference points. If you hold down the Ctrl key while moving a corner point, the current aspect ratio is maintained. Use the button in the middle to move the selected image section:

Change Duration (only active when right-clicking on an image file) opens a submenu with several options for the display duration of the image:

Please select here whether the image should be played back infinitely, for a certain duration or until a certain time is reached.

Change File opens the file explorer so that you can exchange the file for another one.

Overlays opens a submenu where you can set which of the prepared overlays should be automatically launched when the clip is played:

Mute mutes the audio track of the clip during playback.

With Set Custom Gain you can freely assign a volume to the clip.

Add Loop opens a submenu that offers you various options for loop playback of a clip:

Please select whether the clip should be looped infinitely, whether the loop should be executed x times, whether the clip should be looped for a certain duration, or until a certain time is reached.

The Loop Clip to Block End function sets a repeat loop from the selected clip to the last clip of the playback block.

Preview opens a preview window of the corresponding clip. You can preview a clip while another clip from the playlist is playing. You can start and stop the preview playback and also jump through the clip in the Clip Progress Bar. The audio is played back during preview via the Windows default audio device. If you want to temporarily mute the audio playback, please left-click on the green “Audio is ON” icon below the VU meter. The field will then show “Audio is OFF” in red. Clicking it again reactivates the audio playback.

Properties opens a window with the file properties.

If you overwrite a file on your hard drive with a file of the same name, click Reload Clip to have PLAYDECK add the new file to the playlist.

Upload uploads the selected clip to the server defined in Settings – All Settings – FTP Uploads – Playlists.

Add Transition inserts a transition effect from the selected clip to the following clip. You can select the effect type and duration, set these values as default or use the previously saved default transition.

If you want to apply the same transition effect to several clips, you can select them together by holding down the Shift key.

If you want the loudness of all clips to be re-analyzed and re-adjusted, please select Redo EBU R128 Calculation.
Attention! All clips in the playlist will be re-analyzed, which takes some time depending on the length of the playlist.

The Use Reduced Block View function hides the block headers and the block end commands, allowing the operator to see a larger part of the playlist.
A stop command at the end of a block is represented by a solid red line, a pause command by a solid orange line, a pause & auto-cue command by a dashed orange line and a loop command by a solid green line.

Clear Playlist deletes all contents of the corresponding playback channel.

Show Clip in File Explorer displays the file folder where the corresponding clip is located and highlights the clip.

A playback block always starts with the block header, which contains the name of the block as well as information on scheduled start times, if applicable.

Blocks can be moved my clicking and moving the Block Header. If you press CTRL after starting dragging, the Block will be copied instead of moved.

Right clicking on the block header opens the block header functions.

With Rename you can change the name of the block.

Delete deletes the entire block from the playlist including the clips it contains.

Schedule opens a submenu for scheduling the block playback:

Please enter the planned start time for the respective block and choose between the three available options:
Should playback start no matter what status PLAYDECK is in at this start time? If so, any action will be aborted at that moment and playback of the block will begin.
Alternatively, AutoPlay can only start if the first clip of the block is in the CUE.
As a third option, PLAYDECK only displays a countdown on the user interface, but no autostart is performed.

Loop whole Block activates the endless playback of all clips in the playback block.

Export renders all clips including all transitions and overlays to a video. The settings for this are selected in the Settings – All Settings – Playlist Output – Export section.

Upload uploads all clips including all transitions and overlays to an upload server. The settings for this are selected in the section Settings – All Settings – FTP Upload

PLAYDECK can freely scale and position the content to be played back within the selected output resolution. This is especially useful if the playback is to be performed on a medium which has a different physical resolution and expects the signal to be pixel accurate, e.g. an LED wall. In many cases you can save yourself an expensive hardware scaler. This function is also called “Mapping”, “Pan & Scan” or “Region of Interest” by other manufacturers.

Using the Area of Interest menu, you can determine at which position (based on nine possible reference points, adjustable to pixel accuracy) and in which size (percentage or in pixels, with or without maintaining the aspect ratio) your content should be output. You can also crop the content from all four sides and add an inward pointing colored frame to better control the correct position on your LED wall.
When you have entered the desired values, please press either Apply Settings & Preview (the values are transferred and you get a preview window for checking) or Apply Settings Only (the values are only transferred, no preview window is opened) and activate the checkbox Active.

Within a playlist, you can not only use videos, graphics or audio tracks for playback, but you can also receive and output a live video signal. So you can automatically switch to another video source directly from the playlist without the need for an additional video mixer.

In the two upper drop-down boxes Video Device and Video Line, please select the live input you want to display.
In the Video Format field, please select which video format is available at the Live Input. Alternatively, you can also use the Detect from Signal button. If the information about the input resolution is transmitted from the card to the system, the correct value is automatically entered.
With Audio Device you can specify a device for receiving the audio signal different from the video input card, if you want to.
In the Background section you can set what PLAYDECK should show you if there is no correct video signal or the signal fails. You can choose between a text insertion (“No Video Signal”, <Message>), a file that you can assign using the file explorer on the right (<File>), or a still image of the last received video signal (<Last Frame>).
After you have confirmed the Receive from Device checkbox, you can check the incoming live signal in a preview window using the Preview button.
You can assign two different live signals for channel 1 and channel 2 or use the same connector for both playlists.

You can also use NDI streams in your playlist as a live input. By pressing Select from signal PLAYDECK will scan the connected network for NDI streams. All NDI streams found are displayed in a drop-down list from which the desired NDI stream can be selected. Activate NDI Input by checking the corresponding box and check the signal from the Preview window, if you like.
You should only change the NDI Bandwidth to Lowest if you really want to get only a preview quality display.
PLAYDECK does not currently support NDI|HX.

You should only change the NDI Bandwidth to Lowest if you really want to get only a preview quality display (reduced frame rate, reduced resolution). Lowest Bandwidth does not mean that an NDI|HX signal is output instead of the NDI signal.
PLAYDECK does not currently support NDI|HX.

PLAYDECK can establish a return path for the transmission of tally flags via the incoming NDI signal. In the drop-down field, you can set the exact behaviour to perfectly align the forwarding of the tally signals to your needs.

PLAYDECK also offers the option of making an output signal generated from PLAYDECK available internally as live input for the respective other playlist.
Select the desired output from the drop-down list.

PLAYDECK can render all clips of a block including all used transition effects or overlays to a single file for you. Use the drop-down fields in the Export area to select the file path and codec, etc. where PLAYDECK should create the file.
By default, the resolution of the exported file corresponds to the set output resolution of the playlist. If you want a different resolution, please set it in Video Resolution. Otherwise, please leave the values at zero.

The export of a block is usually executed at maximum speed. In individual cases, this can lead to some black frames appearing at the beginning or end of the exported file. If you want to exclude this, please deactivate the checkbox behind Fast Export.

You can customize the settings used to export the playlist (bitrate, keyframe interval, etc.) by entering them in the field that opens when you press the Custom Settings button. To get an overview of the available options, please open the help text under Show Options.

Playlist Settings for Channel 1 and 2

Use the drop-down boxes to set the desired values for output resolution, color space, additional audio output device and audio bitrate/channel number. Please note that the output card you are using may not necessarily be able to display all offered resolutions. If in doubt, please contact the manufacturer of your output card.
The Automatic setting for the color space is recommended for most use cases. Only if you want an output with alpha channel for transparency information, please select the ARGB32 setting.
By activating the checkbox next to HDR/10 Bit you start the HDR output of PLAYDECK. HDR is ONLY supported for devices, but not for desktop output. You also will not see HDR colors in your preview in PLAYDECK. Supported devices are Blackmagic (Input and Output) and Deltacast (Output only). You also need a NVidia GPU set as Decoder in PLAYDECK. You can play any HDR Clips (all codecs) and also select HDR Tracks in YouTube videos. HDR can also be combined with Alpha/Keying. When using the HDR output, please use videos whose frame rate and resolution match the output values, otherwise the system performance requirements will increase drastically.
You can also create a custom output format. Please make sure that the output board you use can actually reproduce the values you set.

In this section you can set the content that PLAYDECK should display when the playlist is in STOP status.
Select <File> to store an image or video file and assign it using the File Explorer on the right. Selected video files are played back in a loop. For an optimal playback, please make sure that the start and end frame match each other to ensure a clean loop. If you want the sound to be audible during playback of the desired video loop, please activate the Keep File Audio checkbox.
Select <Channel 2> if you want to output the current playback from Channel 2 (and vice versa).
Select <Input 1> or <Input 2> if you want to output the signal of a live input.
Select <Last Frame> if you want PLAYDECK to hold the last frame displayed when you press STOP.
With <Custom Color> you can display a freely selectable background colour.
Alternatively, select one of the four available test patterns, or choose a blue, black or white background or transparent output.

In the Device Output section please select your desired output board. Some output cards provide different signals (e.g. SDI and alternatively HDMI). In the Line section you can activate the different jacks. Under Keying you can select whether the output signal should contain transparency information. The entries that you find in the drop-down field are provided by your output card. If in doubt, please ask the manufacturer of your output board which keying method you have to select for your desired purpose. See https://playdeck.tv/howto/internal-and-external-keying/ for more information about Keying, especially using Blackmagic Design output cards.

If you cannot use a dedicated playout card for video output, you can alternatively use a local output of your graphics card in the Desktop Output area. Before activating this feature, please make sure that you have selected “Extended Desktop” in the Windows settings for the screen display and that the settings of your graphics card for the extended desktop correspond to your desired playlist resolution and refresh rate. Please note that the quality of the color reproduction for the desktop output is determined by your graphics card and PLAYDECK has only little influence on it.
Ticking the checkbox Enable High Quality Display often results in more precise colour reproduction.

Additionally, you have the possibility to provide the video signal via network as NDI stream (NDI is a trademark of NewTek). Give your playlist stream a different name (if desired) and assign an NDI group name if necessary.
Check the box to start the NDI stream.