ontrol Panel VKEY 100 / external keyboard – programming trigger buttons

Simple mode has been created for the on PRG screen viewing of movies, full-screen images, or for quick.
There are three OUTPUT buttons next to DELEGATION buttons input of audio files . In Advanced mode we can freely combine the functions of the whole application.

You can set the following commands to the function buttons:

AUDIODSKGENERALV/CMEDIAOUTPUT
Input: MuteSet PositionDelayStudio LoadAuto PlaySelect Preview
Input: SoloSet PreviewSelect CameraLoop PlaySelect Program
Input: VolumeSet RotationSet Bus A SourcePauseTransition Auto
Master Output: MuteSet ScaleSet Bus B SourcePlayTransition Fade to Black
Master Output: VolumeSet SourceSet Bus C SourceSelectTransition Take
Output: MuteTransition CUTSet Bus D SourceStop
Output: SourceTransition MIX
Output: Volume

To assign a specific command to one of 10 function buttons F-1 to F10, click on the Triggers icon in the Reckeen 3D system configuration window. Then select a Mode – Simple or Advanced – at top right side of the window.

Control Panel VKEY 100 / external keyboard – how to use keyboard

V-KEY100 Keyboard.

In the central part you can find a main mixer. The first row of buttons, backlit in red, stands for PROGRAM channel, live on the air.

The second row of buttons is the PREVIEW channel, where you prepare the material. It is backlit in green.

State of the keyboard keys reflects the state of the Reckeen application.

A transition between video channels can be performed with TAKE function. This is an immediate transition.In this case, the selected items on the Program and Preview mixers switch their places.

The second method is a transition with the use of AUTO. It is a smooth transition with a time set in the application. After its use, the T-BAR’s motion is reflected in the application. And a smooth change between PROGRAM and PREVIEW channels takes place.

The third option is to use the T-BAR manually. A lit up green arrow indicates that the T-BAR is in its extreme position. After moving to the next extreme position, another arrow will light up. The PREVIEW channel will smoothly transition to the PROGRAM channel.

You can control the camera shots using the VC buttons. It is possible to highlight shots in the application after selecting an appropriate video channel. Press a button, for example PROGRAM channel’s VC 1.

In the application, VC 1 tab will be highlighted in red.

PROGRAM channel shots will appear next to it. There are 15 possible shots in a given VC, first 10 of which can be found on the keyboard.

In the default NEWS studio, 6 shots have been programmed, so the same number of buttons is currently backlit on the keyboard in the PROGRAM shots section. After pressing one of the buttons, a virtual camera makes a transition to a given shot in accordance with an application mode set, e.g. linear or curved at the speed of 5. A smooth transition to the next point is made. After this movement, the button lights up permanently in orange.

The same can be done in the PREVIEW channel. Let’s press one of the VC buttons.

In the application, the tab will change its color to green.

In the window, you can see PREVIEW channel shots. Press one of the buttons to change the shot. The camera moves, this time in the PREVIEW channel. After this movement, the button lights up permanently in orange.

You can also configure the sources in the studio. In the application, the ABCD mixer is used for that purpose.

On the keyboard, the DELAGATION BUS keys will be used.

Hold down one of the layer buttons, A for example. Buttons enabling source selection for layer A will be illuminated in the PREVIEW channel.

In addition, you can use the buttons on the media mixer.

When you select one of the buttons, the illumination of this layer’s button changes in the application.

Right next to ABCD layer buttons, you can find buttons for setting sources for DSK layers.

They are inactive, so first you have to enable one of the layers. Let’s press a button, e.g. DSK 1.

It will be backlit in green, which means – visible in the PREVIEW channel. Now the DELEGATION BUS button is active. Hold down one of the Delegation BUS buttons, e.g. DSK 1. This time you choose a source for DSK 1 in the PREVIEW channel. You can also use the media mixer. Pressing the button brings the keyboard to its normal operation mode.

Operating the DSK with the keyboard is analogous to the one using the application. It is possible to redirect a DSK source from PREVIEW to PROGRAM channel using CUT button.

After pressing it, the source will immediately appear on the air. DSK 1 button lights up in red. DELEGATION DSK buttons are turned off. Another way to introduce a DSK source on the air is to use MIX button.

When a proper time is set in the application, the source will appear in a smooth transition from the PREVIEW to the PROGRAM channel.

There are three OUTPUT buttons next to DELEGATION buttons.

The first one – CAPTURE – allows you to record the PROGRAM channel to a video file on the disc. When pressed, it will light up in red. The recording starts and a corresponding button with a timer becomes highlighted in the application. The recording is stopped by pressing CAPTURE button again. The button is backlit in white until its next use. Similarly, you can use STM button to stream to a server. Next to it, you can see GRB button for creating a graphic image of the program output.

There are 10 function keys in the upper part of the keyboard. If they are not backlit in white, it means that none of these buttons have been programmed.

You can program them by going to MENU OPTIONS and CONFIGURATION. In the TRIGGER tab, you can assign them suitable functions, e.g. GRAPHICS OVERLAY. After programming two buttons, F1 and F3 for example, and exiting the configuration window, these programmed function keys will be backlit on the VKEY 100 keyboard.

You can use only one function key at a time. After pressing F1 key, it lights up in red as active. All the others are disabled. The function’s deactivation occurs after pressing this button again. After switching it off, the programmed keys will light up in white.

It is possible to control a virtual camera with a JOYSTICK, both in the preview channel and on the air.

On the PROGRAM mixer, select a button, VC 1 for example.

The corresponding tab will be highlighted in red in the application.

This way, you choose virtual camera control with a JOYSTICK’s use in the PROGRAM channel. In the Joystick control section, select VC mode, that is a virtual cameraman.

There are three options below.

The first one is MOVE. When you select this button, it lights up in orange. With the JOYSTICK you can move the camera forwards, backwards, to the right and to the left.

The three F M S buttons are used to set three JOYSTICK speeds. After selecting, for example, F button (FAST), you get much faster camera movement with JOYSTICK’s deflection from zero to its maximum than when choosing M option (MEDIUM) or S one (SLOW).

The speed mode also applies to the JOYSTICK’s knob. With its rotation to the right you can raise the camera and lower the camera by turning it to the left.

ROTATION is the second option for moving the camera. You can rotate the camera around its own axis (right, left, up and down) with a JOYSTICK. Using the knob in this mode, you move the camera forwards by turning the knob to the right and backwards by turning it to the left.

The third movement option is ORBIT. In this mode, you move the camera around a specific point in the studio with a fixed distance from it. By default, this is the 0.0 point. The point of orbit center can be changed in the CAMERA SETUP. Select and highlight any of the objects. After leaving the editor, the new center point of the orbit will be remembered.

When you select DSK option, you can set this layer’s contents with a JOYSTICK. If the DSK button is backlit in green, then the button is active and can be selected.

There are two options at your disposal.

The first – positioning of DSK source.With a JOYSTICK you can, for example, insert a picture (e.g. a station logo) anywhere in the PREVIEW. Use the knob to scale it. You reduce its size by turning the knob to the right and enlarge it by turning to the left.

If the DSK layer is transferred to the PROGRAM channel, that is on the air, then making adjustments with a JOYSTICK is no longer possible.

There is also a second option to use a JOYSTICK for DSK. Choose DSK and ROTATION option.

Using the knob, you can rotate the DSK layer’s content to the right or to the left respectively.

You can find a LOCK button next to the Joystick. It allows you to completely lock the JOYSTICK. When it lights up in red, the JOYSTICK is protected against accidental use.

In emergency situations, it is possible to press the FTB button which will then light up in red. A black board will appear on the PROGRAM screen and the sound on the mixer will be muted. Pressing this button again restores the previous view and the sound mixer’s state.

With the keyboard, you also have control over video and image trays. With a single button, e.g. M1, you can select MEDIA 1 video tray.

It will open automatically in the file preview application. The selected file can be stopped by pressing STOP button.

Play it again with PLAY button. When it is playing, you can PAUSE it with a button.

Press NEXT button to select the next file from the tray.

It will be highlighted in the window as ready to use. You open a new file by pressing PLAY button. In the same way, you can view STILL and TEXT image files or play a playlist sequence.

Control Panel VKEY 100 / external keyboard – adjusting the resistance of T-Bar’s movement

On the right side of the panel a hidden inspection space is provided for that purpose. In order to remove the panel, we will use a hex screwdriver with an appropriate blade length – 11 cm. Use anti-clockwise motion and remove two screws that secure the panel.

Hold down the panel and secure the fastening screws. Remove the panel from the keyboard housing.The right hole is used for inspecting interior of the housing. The left hole is used for adjusting the T-BAR with a screwdriver.

Set the T-BAR in the middle position. An adjustment screw will appear in the hole.

Insert the screwdriver into the hole placing it on the screw head.Clockwise motion increases the resistance of T-BAR’s movement, while anti-clockwise decreases it.

Control Panel VKEY 100 / external keyboard – calibration of joystick and T-Bar

Simultaneously press the following buttons:DELEGATION A , DELEGATION DSK 2 and and LOCK.

5 buttons will light up signaling execution of a test for example, communication F1.

The second test is JOYSTICK’s calibration.Move it to the right and to the left to its extreme positions. When it’s completed, the F2 LED will light up in white.

Now let’s move the joystick up and down to its extreme positions.When you complete that, the F3 LED will light up in white.

F4 is the JOYSTICK’s knob calibration.We turn it several times to the right and to the left to the extreme positions.When you complete that, the F4 LED will light up in white.

F5 test is the T-BAR’s calibration.Move the T-BAR to its extreme positions.

After several movements, all the LEDs will go out. This way, the keyboard has been calibrated and has returned to its normal operation mode.

Control Panel VKEY 100 / external keyboard -test and calibration

In the first step turning the keyboard on by switching the power button to position 1. The appropriate buttons will light up for a moment.

In order to perform the keys’ illumination test, a proper sequence has to be performed.The following buttons have to be pressed simultaneously: DELEGATION A ,DELEGATION DSK 1 and LOCK.

After this pressing, the LOCK and DELEGATION DSK 1 buttons are blinking.It is possible to check the backlight of all buttons.Let’s press the keyboard keys one by one, in any order.The first time you press a key, it lights up in white.A second press makes the key light up in its function color.Red, green or orange – depending on its application.

You can exit the test mode by pressing LOCK key. The keyboard will return to its normal operation mode.

Control Panel VKEY 100 / external keyboard – how to connect keyboard

You can control the Reckeen 3D system with the VKey-100 control panel, or/and with a standard PC keyboard.

The full set of configurations includes:

  • Vkey100 Keyboard
  • RS 232 communication cable with DB9 connector.
  • Power supply unit and adapterst

Connect the keyboard to the system using RS 232 communication cable with DB9 connector. Plug the end of the cable to the input / output card. Connect the other end of the cable to the keyboard’s port. Screw in the locking screws.

Use a proper power supply adapter used in different types of electrical networks.Select the appropriate adapter and insert it into the power plug.Move it forward until you hear a click.

First connect the power supply plug to the VKey 100 keyboard power socket and bolt the locking screw.

Next connect the power supply unit to the electrical outlet.

Now you can safely set the Reckeen system switch to position 1 and then turn on the power using the VKey 100 switch.

NDI Standard

NDI, that is Network Device Interface. It is a standard that enables network communication by sending and receiving high quality and low-delay audio and video signal. NewTek’s innovative Network Device Interface technology, is a royalty free standard enabling IP video workflows across Ethernet networks and represents the most prolific IP-based workflow in the industry. NDI is a trademark of NewTek, Inc.

Such a foundation makes reliable operation in a live production environment possible. The Reckeen system allows you to broadcast a stream from PROGRAM channel to the network. To do this, we have to go to the settings pressing a ‘gear’ button located next to STREAM button.

In the GENERAL tab, we can set parameters for streaming to a server supporting RMTP protocol, for example to the Facebook.

Facebook streaming in Settings tab
Streaming tab in Setting with selected NDI

This makes it possible to watch PROGRAM output all over the world via a browser.

When we press NDI tab, we will be able to broadcast a video signal, but this time across LAN.

It connects computers in a specific area, for example a school or an office, that is computers connected within a local structure. We enter the stream’s unique name, STUDIO NEWS for example, in a box at left.

We press OK to accept. In the moment we press STREAM button, a transmission of audio and VIDEO
streams will begin. We stop streaming by pressing the button again.

NDI stream name
NDI Sources configuration

In the situation when we stop sending the NDI signal and change the name of the stream, after the transmission resumes, the application will not refresh this stream. The receiver have to refresh search and connect ones again to the transmitter with new name.

Now, we will show you on an example how to receive a particular NDI signal. We go to menu OPTIONS and CONFIGURATION. In the last position, we can see NDI tab.

Due to the system’s specific nature of operation and capacity, we suggest using a maximum of two FULL HD streams, i.e. 1080p60.

If we want to use also other inputs as NDI, we should broadcast a stream with a reduced resolution, 720p for example. To receive the NDI stream, we have to select one of the inputs.

In the Reckeen system, it is possible to replace the physical input of the camera or video stream from the tray with the NDI signal.

We will choose CAMERA 4 input and press NDI button. On the right, a button with three dots appears.

After pressing it, a window shows up in which we can choose NDI stream.

NDI Source selection
NDI Source name assigned to CAM 4

On the list we can find a description that contains a computer’s name and further in brackets, a name entered in the STREAMING window and a computer’s IP address. Below, we can see a STREAM KEY selection function.

If we leave this option checked, it will not be possible to set a keying algorithm when we go to KEY 4 tab. NDI graphics will then appear. This means a key’s mask is provided by the NDI stream.

We will go back to the NDI settings in the CONFIGURATION window. We uncheck STREAM KEY option for the given input. Now the input can be
subjected to a keying procedure in the RECKEEN system.

We can use in the same way chroma or luma key algorithm as if it was an
input connected to the Reckeen Card via HDMI or SDI.

To distinguish whether a given input originates from the Reckeen Card or
from the NDI stream, there is an ‘NDI’ caption on the input bar. Next to the caption, the input’s video format appears.

Disabled Chroma key when NDI is connected to input
Preview for NDI source

NDI input supports two channels, left and right . In the mixer’s AUDIO INPUT tab, all functions, such as MUTE, SOLO or volume level slider, work in the same way as in the case of a physical HDMI or SDI input.

The sound level in the case of NDI input is treated in the same way as in
the case of MEDIA. The 0dB level on the indicator means the maximum value of the sound level to be accepted. Above this value, the signal is distorted. Therefore, when we broadcast an NDI stream from the Reckeen system, this value can not be exceeded.

We can send any content between two RECKEEN systems. Using PGM buttons of the main mixer, a user on the second computer can send: A full-screen view from a camera connected to the system, any video file, graphic file, as well as studio’s view.

With VC 1 to VC 4 buttons, we will control a view of our studio loaded into the system, setting the appropriate camera shots, whereas a signal from another machine containing a view of another studio will be sent to CAM 4 button with the use of NDI.

This provides an opportunity to build a structure of a large-format TV station.

Production with connected NDI source

Streaming on Facebook

It suffice that such a service supports RTMP protocol. Those are ; Ustream.tv, Youtube.com or Facebook.

Log into your account. You have two options. The first one is to stream on Facebook via your user account, that is using a regular post. A video window will appear in it, just as usual, when users exchange information or videos. The second option is to create your own Facebook page with its unique name.

If you choose the first option, you need only to have a Facebook user account.

In the case of the second option, you have to log into your user account and create a page.

Select Pages tab from the management tabs on the left side of the screen.

Click Create Pages button to create a page.

Choose a category and enter the page’s name. The page is created after you press Get Started button.

You have created a site. Now you start to stream on Facebook.

First, launch the Production module in the Reckeen system – 3D Production or LITE Production.

Press streaming Configuration button. From the available services, choose Facebook.

Then, log into your user account. Enter your e-mail address and password.

In order to be able to stream on Facebook, you have to accept the terms and conditions. The first one states that Facebook will get your profile information, such as name, photo, age, gender, language, country and such. Press Continue button.

The streaming content will be shown on the user’s account.

Facebook now asks you, to whom this streaming should be visible to – whether it’s a public video show, a friend’s show or just for the account’s owner.

If you created a page, the Facebook will ask you about a possibility of adding streaming there, so that other users could view the video and have a chance to like it or comment on it.

Choose what you allow.

Accept the terms and conditions. You are now logged in.

As mentioned earlier, there are two streaming options. Streaming to a user account – so you choose a user account. If you have video channels created, choose one of them. If not, you can create a new channel. In the Parameters window, type in a title and a brief description. If everything is filled in correctly, press Create button.

You can see the added video stream on Available Videos drop-down list. Click on it and click OK.

The settings are ready. Now, all you need is Stream button on the Production screen, to send the video to your Facebook channel. You’ve started streaming the video. Other users can view the image from your Program output in your post.

Press Stream button once again to stop streaming. After pressing this button the second time, it is not possible to continue with the last video. You have to choose another one or create a new one.

Now, the second option – streaming to your Facebook page. Select Page in the Live Video> Context area. Choose available pages from the drop-down list. Write a title and a brief description. Press Create button.

You can see the name of the created page and the available video. After pressing OK button, you can stream, this time to your own page, where a new post with the streamed video will be created.

Press Stream button once again to stop streaming.

Streaming on YouTube platform

To conduct the streaming on the YouTube platform, it is required to create an account with a Good standing. To check the status of your YouTube account, you have to log on, go to the Channel tab and choose Creator Studio icon and then Status and features. Here, you can see that the account has a Good standing status. As shown below. Scroll the page all the way down and make sure that the option Live streaming is enabled.

Now go to the Reckeen3D system. Choose the Streaming tab in the Reckeen3D Configuration window of the Production screen. Select YouTube platform from the drop-down list and click on the Open website icon.

Log into your YouTube account. After opening the Home tab in the Reckeen3D window, click on the My Channel tab and then on the Video Manager icon.

RTMP URL address and Channel Key settings are stored in a session file. Those same settings can be saved as a single Flash Media Encoder XML File. After entering the streaming data, just click EXPORT FMLE button and save the file to the disk with “* .xml” extension.

In the Video Manager, click on the LIVE STREAMING tab and then choose the Stream Now option.

After opening Stream now tab, scroll to the bottom of the page to the ENCODER SETUP section.

Without closing this window, first copy the visible server’s URL and then paste it into the Address field in the Reckeen3D Configuration window. Afterwards, press the Reveal icon, as shown above, and copy the disclosed data to the Stream field.

After pasting the data into the fields of Address and Stream, click the OK button. Now, you can begin streaming on your YouTube channel. Filling the fields User and Password is not mandatory. You just need to pre-set the parameters of Audio and Video Settings in order to adjust the quality of the broadcast image to the capabilities of your internet connection. You can now save an entire session with the data into an appropriately named file (File> Save Session As …). You will be able to load it from the file any time you want to start streaming on the YouTube platform.

The Reckeen3D system has UStream, YouTube and Niconico platforms listed, along with a Custom version to choose from. The next picture.

When you select the Custom version, you can enter any parameters of the streaming service supporting RTMP. Now, all you need to do is to inform your viewers about the name of your channel (you can also send the link from the platform) and time of your broadcast. Now, you can go on the air with your own live show!